Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, and the Minister of Petroleum of Niger, Sahabi Oumarou, met last Sunday to discuss the strategic Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project and reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing coordination meetings aimed at assessing and advancing the project, the Algerian Ministry of Energy and Mining stated.
The two countries reviewed the implementation of decisions made earlier by the hydrocarbon ministers of Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria, stressing the importance of the TSGP.
Oumarou also emphasized the critical role of the TSGP and expressed Niger's readiness to rejuvenate the project to harness its social and economic benefits. Furthermore, a meeting between the oil ministers of the three countries is expected in the coming weeks to resume consultations.
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation in Energy
The discussions, which involved senior executives from Algeria’s national oil company Sonatrach and its Nigerien counterpart SONIDEP, went beyond the TSGP project. Both parties explored avenues to enhance bilateral cooperation in hydrocarbons, refining, petrochemicals, and electricity production, transmission, and distribution.
One focal point of collaboration is the Sonatrach-led research and exploration project in Niger’s Kafra oil field, where notable progress has been made. This project, considered pivotal to the energy partnership between the two nations, has yielded promising results, indicating potential for a successful joint effort.
Algeria reaffirmed its dedication to supporting Niger's energy sector through technical expertise, training, and technology transfer. Arkab emphasized Algeria's readiness to aid in developing Niger’s hydrocarbon industry workforce by offering training programs and practical internships for Nigerien executives and technicians at Sonatrach institutes.