Summary:

On 17 June 2025, Algerian National Agency for Hydrocarbon Energy (ALNAFT) announced the foreign companies that were awarded exploration licenses in the Algeria’s southern region following the Algeria Bid Round 2024 held in October.  

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The licenses were awarded as follows:  

• Austrian firm Zangas and Swiss firm Filada were awarded concessions in Toual 2  

• Italy’s Eni won the license of Zerafa 2 

• Eni and Thailand’s PTTEP will explore Reggane 2   

• QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies will explore the zone of Ahara.  

• Chinese Sinopec was awarded exploration in Guern El Guessa. 

These companies are set to sign contracts with Algerian counterparts, ALNAFT and Sonatrach by 30 July. 

Algeria previously signed deals with American Chevron to explore offshore energy and Chinese Sinopec to develop Hasi Berkane field in central Algeria. 

Outlook: 

Algeria is likely to continue attracting diverse foreign energy companies to develop new energy deposits and maintain production rates to exploit this strategic sector upon which the Algerian economy hinges.  

Additional legislative developments are likely as the government looks at potential evolutions that will better facilitate international access to Algerian energy and mineral deposits. 

As energy prices are likely to increase following tensions in the Middle East, Algeria is among the states positioned to benefit from increased revenues that could spur growth if re-invested into industry and local economic opportunities. 

The development of Algeria’s energy sector, along with rising oil prices, will strengthen Algeria’s diplomatic position, particularly amongst European states which may look to diversify imports to manage risk from volatility in the Middle East. 

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