Sonatrach’s hydrocarbon discoveries reach 17 in 2026
Algerian hydrocarbons minister Mohamed Arkab said Sonatrach had made 17 discoveries through its own exploration work in 2026. Investment exceeded 6 billion dollars through September. The state energy company’s wider exploration programme includes new wells, seismic surveys and work on existing fields, alongside plans to process more hydrocarbons domestically and reduce flaring by 2030.
Economics & Markets··Midday
Arkab announces discoveries and higher investment
Algerian hydrocarbons minister Mohamed Arkab said Sonatrach, the country’s state energy company, had made 17 new hydrocarbon discoveries in 2026 using its own exploration resources. He addressed the National People’s Assembly finance and budget committee on 17 October during consideration of the 2027 draft budget. Investment exceeded 6 billion dollars through September, compared with 5.3 billion dollars in the corresponding previous-year period.[1], [2]
The exploration programme includes hundreds of wells
Chief executive Noureddine Daoudi had outlined the wider programme in a 24 February interview with Algeria’s APS news agency. Around 500 exploration wells are planned for 2026–2030, alongside approximately 950 development wells and 6,300 interventions on existing wells. The programme targets coverage of 66 per cent of the national hydrocarbon mining domain. Work includes two- and three-dimensional seismic acquisition, geological and geophysical studies, and processing and reprocessing existing data. The investment share allocated to exploration and production is 75 per cent; international partnerships represent 26 per cent of that budget.[1]
The company’s stated objectives include maintaining and renewing its reserve base, meeting domestic energy requirements and supporting exports. Its refining and petrochemicals strategy also seeks to reduce some imports and supply domestic demand for hydrocarbon derivatives.[1]
Domestic processing and lower flaring are targeted for 2030
Arkab put hydrocarbon export earnings through September at 37.5 billion dollars and domestic consumption at approximately 59 million tonnes of oil equivalent. He primarily attributed the rise in consumption to gas demand, with petroleum products also contributing during summer heat and fires. The sector aims for primary production of about 201 million tonnes of oil equivalent by 2030. It seeks to increase the share processed domestically from about 30 per cent to over 50 per cent.[2]
Announced sector-development investment totals 71.6 billion dollars, including 52 billion dollars for exploration and production and about 13 billion dollars for refining and petrochemicals. Sonatrach also targets flaring below 1 per cent by 2030, the elimination of routine flaring and methane emissions from its activities close to zero.[2]
