Algeria: QatarEnergy lands a stake in Ahara block
Relations between Qatar and Algeria continue to advance with a new energy deal sending shockwaves through the region in recent days which saw Morocco lose the UK in a major solar deal.
QatarEnergy has landed a stake in its first onshore exploration license in Algeria, expanding the company’s footprint in North Africa, as reported by the Oil Review Middle East on June 23rd.
The Qatari state-owned company secured the Ahara block as part of Algeria’s 2025 bid round, marking its first entry into the country’s gas and oil sector.
“We are delighted to be awarded the Ahara block, which marks our first entry into Algeria’s upstream sector and further and expands our footprint in Africa,” said Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, and President and CEO of QatarEnergy.
Located in eastern Algeria, at the intersection of the prolific Berkine and Illizi Basins, Ahara covers an area of approximately 14,900 square kilometers.
QatarEnergy will work as part of a consortium, alongside operator TotalEnergies and Algeria’s national state-owned oil company, Sonatrach.
TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy will each hold an effective interest of 24.5% during the exploration phase, while Sonatrach will hold 51%.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the Algerian Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energies and ALNAFT on the successful management of this bid round,” said Al-Kaabi. “We look forward to a successful and collaborative exploration endeavour with the Ministry alongside ALNAFT, Sonatrach and TotalEnergies.”
The deal comes in the wake of Algeria’s energy talks earlier this year with fellow African nations, Mozambique, and Ethiopia.
Oil Review Middle East, Maghrebi.org
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