China’s ANTON Group has expressed interest in developing long-term partnerships in Algeria’s hydrocarbons sector, focusing on exploration, production, and infrastructure projects, the Algerian Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mines has said.
Algerian Minister of State and Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines Mohamed Arkab received the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Pi, at the ministry’s headquarters in Algiers. The meeting was attended by the chief executive of state oil company Sonatrach, Noureddine Daoudi, as well as senior officials from the National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT) and the ministry.
Africa energy investmentDiscussions centred on investment prospects and cooperation in Algeria’s oil and gas industry, including field development, transportation, and the deployment of advanced technologies. Delegates also reviewed energy infrastructure projects and maintenance programs designed to improve operational efficiency and technical performance across the sector.
ANTON Group presented details of its international experience and technical capabilities in the oil and gas industry. Following the presentation, Minister Arkab outlined the pillars of Algeria’s hydrocarbons development programme, highlighting available investment opportunities and incentives offered under the country’s legal framework for energy activities.
The minister emphasised that Algeria seeks partnerships based on technology transfer, local value creation, and sustainable investment models. “We welcome the deepening of technical and institutional consultations between Sonatrach, ALNAFT, and ANTON Group to identify areas of cooperation and examine concrete investment opportunities of mutual benefit,” he said.
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Peter Pi expressed ANTON Group’s intention to strengthen its presence in Algeria through practical projects that integrate globally recognised technologies. “Our goal is to contribute to the development of the national hydrocarbons sector through long-term partnerships that leverage expertise sharing and deliver mutual benefits,” Pi said.
Algeria, Africa’s third-largest natural gas producer, has been seeking to attract foreign investment to modernise its energy sector, boost production capacity, and develop downstream infrastructure. The country has recently introduced regulatory reforms and incentives aimed at encouraging international companies to partner with state and private entities in exploration and field development.
Sonatrach, the national oil and gas company, is Algeria’s largest energy operator and a key partner in attracting foreign investment. ALNAFT, which oversees exploration rights and licensing, plays a critical role in structuring investment agreements and ensuring compliance with national development objectives.
Experts say Algeria’s hydrocarbons sector offers significant potential due to untapped reserves, strategic location for gas exports to Europe, and a growing need for energy infrastructure modernisation. China has been a long-standing partner in the sector, with Chinese companies engaged in upstream and downstream projects, pipelines, and technical services.
The meeting between ANTON Group and Algerian officials signals Beijing’s continued interest in the region and Algeria’s focus on leveraging international expertise to develop its energy sector sustainably.
Both sides agreed to continue technical consultations to define specific projects and partnership models, with the goal of translating discussions into actionable investment initiatives in the coming months.
Background to Algeria’s hydrocarbon sector
Algeria is Africa’s third-largest producer of natural gas and a significant oil exporter, with hydrocarbons accounting for roughly 30–35 percent of gross domestic product and more than 90 percent of export revenues. The country holds estimated proven oil reserves of around 12 billion barrels and natural gas reserves exceeding 4,500 billion cubic metres, ranking among the largest on the continent.
State-owned Sonatrach, founded in 1963, dominates upstream and downstream operations, controlling exploration, production, refining, and export infrastructure. Sonatrach has historically partnered with international oil companies, including from Europe, the United States, and Asia, under production-sharing agreements and joint ventures. The company also oversees export pipelines to Europe, such as the Trans-Mediterranean Gas Pipeline to Italy and the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline to Spain.
The National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT) regulates exploration rights, licensing, and development contracts. It aims to attract investment while ensuring compliance with Algeria’s hydrocarbon laws and long-term energy strategy.
Algeria has been modernising its legal framework to encourage foreign investment and technology transfer, including offering fiscal incentives, production-sharing arrangements, and joint venture opportunities. Recent reforms target upstream exploration, gas field development, and midstream infrastructure expansion, particularly in liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity.
The country is strategically positioned as a gas supplier to Europe, which has grown in importance amid shifts in global energy markets. Algeria exports both crude oil and LNG to key markets and is seeking to diversify its partnerships with Asian and African investors while maintaining strategic ties with European buyers.
Challenges persist, including ageing infrastructure, fluctuating global oil and gas prices, and competition from emerging gas suppliers. However, the government has emphasised sustainable development, energy security, and value addition through partnerships with international firms capable of transferring technology and expertise.
China has been an increasingly important partner in Algeria’s hydrocarbons sector, with Chinese firms involved in exploration, pipeline construction, and refinery projects. Recent initiatives, including cooperation with companies such as ANTON Group, reflect Algeria’s strategy of leveraging foreign technical expertise to modernise its energy industry and expand production capacity while fostering long-term investment.
