Algeria: Sonatrach plans ambitious projects

Sonatrach is planning a series of experimental wells this year and next as it attempts to lay the ground for future frontier exploration both into shale formations and the untested offshore. At the same time, it is also moving forward with enhanced recovery plans for oil and gas fields where production has been declining for some years. Taken together with the announcement of a five-year upstream investment plan worth more than $100bn, it appears that the authorities are reacting to intense criticism of the current energy strategy from former senior executives at Sonatrach.