More work to do for Algeria
A new energy minister and a new Sonatrach investment plan are still not enough to make Algeria attractive to IOCs
For a government keen to bolster the image of its oil industry in the eyes of wary foreign investors, sacking a popular energy minister is not necessarily the way to go. Yet that is what Algeria did in May, dumping Noureddine Boutarfa, despite his high-profile and lauded role in sculpting Opec's recent production cuts agreement. The new minister is Mustapha Guitouni. Boutarfa's unexplained removal came as Algiers sought to persuade international oil companies (IOCs) to get involved in an ambitious oil and gas expansion programme. But those firms will likely remain wary, put off by political uncertainty, onerous investment conditions and the ever-present risk of terrorism. The Sonatrach plan
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
