Algerian Radio
Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, received the Minister of Petroleum, Mines, and Geology of the Republic of Chad, Ndolenodji Alixe Naimbaye, yesterday, Tuesday, in Algiers. Minister Naimbaye is currently on a working visit to Algeria. During the meeting, they discussed prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, according to a ministry statement.
On this occasion, both parties reviewed "the state and prospects of Algerian-Chadian bilateral relations, which are distinguished by their fraternal and historical character," and examined ways to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of hydrocarbons and mines, within the framework of a strategic and sustainable partnership approach, the statement added.
In this context, Mr. Arkab outlined the main lines of the development program for the hydrocarbon and mining sectors in Algeria, as well as the new regulatory and legal frameworks governing activities related to these two sectors. He highlighted Algeria's willingness to consolidate cooperative relations and strengthen exchanges with the Republic of Chad, particularly within the framework of South-South cooperation and with brotherly African countries.
Discussions also focused on cooperation prospects throughout the hydrocarbon value chain, including exploration, production, transport, refining, petrochemicals, and the marketing of petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). They also discussed the potential for developing partnerships between the Sonatrach group and its subsidiaries and Chadian companies, the same source specified.
The two ministers also underscored the importance of training and capacity building, notably via the Algerian Petroleum Institute (IAP), and leveraging Algeria's pioneering experience in the oil and gas industry, as well as the regulation of the hydrocarbon sector.
In this framework, both parties examined the possibility of the Sonatrach group's participation in the development of the hydrocarbon sector in Chad through research, exploration, exploitation, petrochemical, and energy infrastructure development activities, as well as opportunities for exporting Algerian petroleum products to Chadian markets.
Regarding the mining sector, the two parties addressed ways to strengthen cooperation in the fields of exploitation, transformation of mineral resources, research, geological studies, and the elaboration of geological and mining maps. They also discussed exchanging expertise regarding administrative organization and the legal framework governing mining activities. The Chadian side expressed great interest in the Algerian experience in these fields.
Alixe Naimbaye praised the quality of relations uniting her country and Algeria, expressing Chad's willingness to benefit from Algeria's expertise and experience in the development of the hydrocarbon and mining sectors, as well as the legal and regulatory frameworks governing these two areas.
She emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences and know-how for the mutual benefit of both countries and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation.
The Chadian minister also expressed her satisfaction with the results of the visit, which should give a strong impetus to bilateral cooperation between the two countries, according to the statement.
The meeting was held at the ministry headquarters, in the presence of representatives from the Chadian Embassy in Algeria, ministry executives, as well as the Chairman and CEO of the Sonatrach group, Nourredine Daoudi, the CEO of the Sonarem group, Reda Belhadj, the Director of the National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT), Samir Bakhti, the Director of the National Agency for Mining Activities (ANAM), Mourad Hanifi, and the Director of the Steering Committee of the National Agency for the Geological Service of Algeria (AGSA), Karim Mokhtar, in addition to representatives of the Hydrocarbon Regulatory Authority (ARH) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs.
On the Chadian side, the meeting was marked by the presence of a large delegation composed of officials and executives from the Chadian Hydrocarbons Company (SHT), the Chadian Petroleum Company (TPC), the Chadian National Mining Exploration and Marketing Company (SONEMIC), as well as the Petroleum Sector Regulatory Authority (ARSAT) and the Chadian Higher Institute of Petroleum (INSPEM).
