Algerian Radio
Algeria signed a cooperation agreement in the field of hydrocarbons with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday, aimed at developing bilateral relations across the various links in the value chain of this sector, a statement from the Ministry of Hydrocarbons indicated.
The agreement was signed at the Ministry's headquarters by the Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mohamed Arkab, and his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Acacia Bandubola Mbongo. The signing took place in the presence of the DRC Ambassador to Algeria, the Chairman and CEO of the Sonatrach group, Nour Eddine Daoudi, the President of the National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT), Samir Bekhti, the President of the Hydrocarbons Regulatory Authority (ARH), Amine Remini, as well as executives and officials from the hydrocarbons sector of both countries.
This agreement, signed at the conclusion of bilateral talks between the two parties during the Congolese minister's working visit to Algeria, reflects "the shared will of the two brotherly countries to strengthen their cooperation relations and expand partnership prospects in the hydrocarbons sector, serving the economic and development interests of both countries, while contributing to supporting African energy integration," the statement specified.
The agreement aims to establish a permanent institutional framework for the development of bilateral cooperation across the various links in the value chain of the hydrocarbons industry, through the exchange of expertise, experiences, and best practices, as well as the strengthening of cooperation between national bodies and companies operating in this sector.
The areas of cooperation outlined in the agreement include the development of partnerships in exploration, production, the development of oil and gas fields, refining and petrochemicals, the marketing and distribution of petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), in addition to petroleum services and logistics related to the hydrocarbons industry.
The agreement also attaches particular importance to human resources development through training and qualification programs, as well as the exchange of experts and trainers.
As such, it allows the Congolese party to benefit from Algerian expertise in the areas of technology transfer and capacity building, particularly through training institutions and centers affiliated with the hydrocarbons sector, the same source added.
The document also provides for the strengthening of cooperation in the areas of energy infrastructure development, pipeline transportation of hydrocarbons, storage, regulation, and technical control. This is in addition to the management of geological data and hydrocarbon-related databases, alongside the exchange of expertise in industrial safety, health, environment, and risk management.
To keep pace with the ongoing transformations in the global energy sector, the two parties agreed to develop their cooperation in the fields of digitalization, innovation, artificial intelligence, and research and development. The goal is to improve performance, increase project profitability, and enhance the sector's competitiveness in both countries.
Furthermore, the two parties reaffirmed their willingness to strengthen coordination and joint action within the African Petroleum Producers' Organization (APPO) and the African Union (AU), while supporting continental energy initiatives and projects aimed at enhancing energy security and promoting sustainable development in Africa, the Ministry's statement concludes.
