Algerian Radio
The Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mohamed Arkab, received on Tuesday at the headquarters of his ministerial department, the Minister of Petroleum of the Republic of Niger, Mr. Hamadou Tini, who is on a working visit to Algeria heading a high-level delegation, according to a statement from the Ministry.
The talks, which were later expanded to include members of both delegations, focused on the reality and prospects of bilateral cooperation between Algeria and Niger in the hydrocarbons sector. They also addressed ways to strengthen the existing partnership between the Sonatrach group and the Nigerien Petroleum Corporation (SONIDEP), particularly in the areas of research, exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbons, drilling services, refining, petrochemicals, and the distribution and marketing of petroleum products, alongside training, technology transfer, and capacity building.
The meeting was attended by members of the Nigerien delegation, which included officials and executives from the Ministry of Petroleum and SONIDEP. On the Algerian side, attendees included the Chairman and CEO of Sonatrach, Noureddine Daoudi; the President of the National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT), Samir Bakhti; the President of the Hydrocarbon Regulatory Authority (ARH), Amine Remini; the Chairman and CEO of Naftal, Djamel Cherdoud; as well as ministry executives.
The two sides reviewed the progress of ongoing joint projects and discussed prospects for expanding cooperation to include new value-added projects. This is particularly relevant in the fields of geological and geophysical studies, the development of oil and gas fields, the construction of energy infrastructure, and the development of distribution and storage networks. They also explored opportunities for specialized subsidiaries of the Sonatrach group to contribute to the development of upstream oil projects in Niger.
Furthermore, the two parties discussed cooperation possibilities in the maintenance and development of refining facilities, notably Sonatrach's support for the upcoming major maintenance work at the Zinder refinery in Niger. They also examined mechanisms to secure the supply of petroleum products during the refinery's scheduled shutdown.
In the field of human resources development, Mr. Arkab reaffirmed Algeria's readiness, through Sonatrach and its affiliated training institutions, to support Niger in its efforts to strengthen human resource capacities and develop national competencies.
The meeting also served as an opportunity to review the progress of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project, which represents one of the most important strategic energy projects on the African continent. The two parties exchanged views on the agenda for the fifth ministerial meeting of the project's steering committee, scheduled to be held in Algeria, with the participation of the Ministers of Hydrocarbons of Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria.
On this occasion, Mr. Mohamed Arkab affirmed that Algeria, in implementation of the directives of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, continues to work on strengthening African cooperation and materializing strategic partnerships based on the principle of mutual benefit and economic integration. He emphasized Algeria's commitment to supporting the sisterly Republic of Niger in developing its hydrocarbons sector and backing major structural projects that would enhance energy security and socio-economic development in the region.
For his part, the Nigerien Minister of Petroleum praised the level of existing cooperation between the two countries and the leading role played by the Sonatrach group at the African level. He stressed the importance of benefiting from Algerian expertise in various fields of the oil and gas industry, particularly in training, technology transfer, and the development of oil and gas projects.
He also reiterated his country's affirmation of the strategic importance of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project, considering it a pivotal project that will enhance African energy integration and support the sustainable economic development of the three countries (Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria).
