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Bolstering Regional Energy Security through Algerian Shale Gas

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shale gas

Offering significant reserves and attractive policies, Algeria’s shale gas is poised to play a much larger role in scaling up energy security in Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 20, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Known for its rich oil and gas reserves, Algeria has set its sights on becoming a major player in the global shale gas industry. With the third-largest shale gas reserves worldwide, Algeria is committed to attracting investments and fostering a favorable business environment for international players. Through its strategic regulatory policies and through platforms such as African Energy Week (AEW) – taking place October 16-20 in Cape Town ­– the country aims to connect new investors to its burgeoning shale gas market.

Algeria’s untapped shale gas reserves are estimated at 20 trillion cubic meters or 707 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of technically recoverable resources. These reserves hold immense potential for both domestic consumption and export, presenting a lucrative opportunity for global players seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for natural gas. The country’s shale formations, primarily located in the Ahnet, Timimoun and Reggane basins, offer substantial quantities of recoverable gas resources. While relatively untapped, Algeria’s shale gas market is set to reap high returns on investment for global players, owing to opportunities to tap into an established domestic natural gas market in-country.

Currently, Algeria represents the fifth-largest global exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) State of African Energy Q1 2023 report notes that the country is expected to maintain its LNG infrastructure capacity of 29 million tons per annum in the medium term, with national oil company Sonatrach aiming to supply the global gas market with upwards of 110 billion cubic meters of gas per year through 2027. By capitalizing on its shale gas, the country is poised to not only increase exports and revenue generation but stimulate regional economic growth on the back of energy security.

Recognizing the importance of attracting investment in the shale gas sector, Algeria has implemented a series of regulatory policies aimed at creating an enabling environment for international players. The Algerian government has adopted a transparent legal framework that ensures the rights and obligations of investors, safeguarding their interests in the exploration and production phases. Moreover, the government has streamlined administrative procedures and introduced incentives to encourage foreign direct investment in the sector.

Algeria’s shale gas potential, backed by its abundant reserves and favorable regulatory policies, presents an attractive opportunity for global players in the energy industry

Algeria introduced its new Hydrocarbon Law in December 2019, aimed at attracting foreign investors. The law brought about substantial changes to tax rates and investment conditions in the hydrocarbons sector, facilitating the inflow of new capital. With challenges such as high taxes and unclear contract-sharing agreements, historically limiting foreign investment, the Algerian government prioritized amendments to fiscal terms regarding Exploration and Production (E&P) activities and eliminated customs duties and taxes on imported E&P equipment. The 2019 law also simplified contractual agreement types, with Sonatrach becoming the primary contracting party and offering three agreement options: Participation Agreements, Production Sharing Agreements, and Risk Service Agreements. As a result, Algeria has witnessed the active participation of foreign players, such as TotalEnergies, ENI, Equinor, among others.  

Stepping into this picture, AEW 2023 serves as a bridge connecting international players to Algeria’s shale gas market, offering a range of services such as market analysis, matchmaking with local partners, project management support, and access to financing mechanisms. The event brings together government officials, industry experts and stakeholders, creating a conducive environment for networking, knowledge-sharing and business collaboration. By participating in AEW, global players can gain valuable insights into Algeria’s shale gas sector and establish meaningful connections with key decision-makers.

“Algeria’s shale gas potential, backed by its abundant reserves and favorable regulatory policies, presents an attractive opportunity for global players in the energy industry. At AEW, international investors are well-positioned to participate in the discussions around E&P opportunities within Algeria’s shale gas resources,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC, adding that “As the country seeks to diversify its energy portfolio and meet growing domestic and international demand, Algeria’s shale gas market holds significant potential for those willing to seize the opportunity.”

AEW is the AEC’s annual energy event connecting global investors and project developers to African energy opportunities. Algeria is set to play a central role at the event, with a dedicated country spotlight session offering stakeholders a unique opportunity to gain insight into the promising shale gas market and network with high-level policymakers and institutions. Visit https://AECWeek.com/ for more information about this exciting event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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