Algeria: Energy news: Oil / gas / electricity / solar / nuclear power developments

[Al-khiyal]

OSLO, Norway — Norwegian oil company Statoil ASA said Wednesday it has spent about US$2 billion to develop Algerian gas fields, and plans to invest US$1.5 billion more depending on future natural gas finds in the North African country.

Future investments are contingent on gas finds in the Hassi Mouina block, an area covering 23,000 square kilometers (9,000 square miles) in western Algeria, Statoil spokesman Kai Nilsen said.

Statoil has a 75-percent share in that block, with Algeria's state-controlled Sonatrach owning the remaining 25 percent.

The Norwegian company already has a solid foothold in Algeria, after securing interests in two gas fields in the southern part of the country.

Statoil expects production to start at the In-Amenas field "within weeks," while deliveries from the In-Salah field started in 2004, company spokesman Ola Morten Aanestad said.

Statoil to invest $1.5B more in gas fields

[Al-khiyal]

Gazprom, the Russian gas monopoly, has delivered its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment to the UK.
Gazprom, the world's biggest natural gas producer and supplier of a quarter of Europe's gas, bought 140,000 cubic metres of LNG - equivalent to 85m cubic metres of natural gas - from Gaz de France and delivered it to BP.

It was the largest LNG shipment to reach the Isle of Grain terminal in north Kent. A joint venture between BP and Algerian energy company Sonatrach has been formed to market LNG from the terminal which is expected to supply 5% of the UK's gas demand.

Gazprom starts shipping liquid gas to Britain

[Al-khiyal]

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP): Oil prices will likely remain high throughout 2006, Algeria's energy minister was quoted as saying Saturday.

In response to a question about the latest rise in prices, Chakib Khalil was quoted as telling state news agency APS: "It is very probable that prices will stay at a high level until the end of 2006.''

"World oil demand is still dynamic, and we haven't seen a strong drop in the second trimester, as was anticipated,'' he was quoted as saying.

Khalil said problems in Iraq, Nigeria, Venezuela, Russia and Iran were factors of tension playing a role in oil prices. He also said U.S. issues were a factor, including the approach of the summer driving season and difficulties faced by the refinery industry, still recovering from last year's hurricanes.

Oil prices rose above US$69 a barrel on Thursday ahead of the long Easter weekend, as worries about possible supply disruptions overshadowed the news that U.S. crude inventories are at their highest level in eight years.

Algerian energy minister: Oil prices likely to remain high throughout 2006

[Al-khiyal]

Algeria's energy minister is due to visit Spain Monday to discuss the MediGas project.

Algerian radio reported Monday Energy and Mining Minister Chakib Khelil had been invited to Spain in an official capacity by Spanish Industry, Tourism and Trade Minister Jose Montilla.

During the visit, which is but one of a number of meetings the two ministers have held in recent months to discuss the progress of the MediGas project and the cross-sea power line, the ministers are also expected to discuss furthering bilateral energy cooperation.

Algerian energy minister visits Spain

[Al-khiyal]

Germany is to invest $2.49 billion in the Algerian energy sector, Algerian radio reported Wednesday.

Guenter Gloser, minister-delegate at the German Foreign Ministry, spoke of the attempts forged by the two countries to develop bilateral relations that would then enable them to cooperate across a breadth of fields.

Although the two countries are aiming for a diversified partnership that will see them cooperating in all spheres, Gloser encouraged those in positions of responsibility to forge transnational relationships in the fields of energy, scientific research and technology.

Following talks with a range of Algerian officials, Gloser told Algeria's Radio 1: "We shall form a synopsis of the results of the talks I have had in Algeria to help us in Germany know in which field to get involved. Will it be in the industrial sphere or the enterprises?

"Naturally, Algeria is free to choose it partner. Allow me to say that I have personally felt Algeria's desire to develop its relations with Germany and my duty in this context is to promote Algeria in Germany."

Germany, Gloser said, planned to invest $2.49 billion in Algeria's energy sector by 2012, although he gave no further details of the nature of the projects that would benefit.

Germany to invest $2.5B in Algeria energy

[Al-khiyal]

Egypt's Oil Minster Sameh Fahmi said that a joint Egyptian-Algerian venture will be established for prospecting for oil and gas in the two states and that returns will be shared equally.

This is the first time in history that Egypt cooperates in the oil sector with an Arab state.

The agreement was made after talks that Fahmi made with Algerian Energy Minster Shakib Khalil on the sidelines of the Tenth World Energy Forum that ended in the Qatari capital of Doha yesterday.

Fahmi said that his talks with the Algerian Minster showed full understanding concerning all topics tackled, especially that Algeria is seeking to further cement cooperation with Egypt in the oil and gas sectors through the setting up of joint marketing center for Algerian butane gas to countries overlooking the Mediterranean, due to the important location of Egypt.

Egypt, Algeria for oil and gas cooperation

[Al-khiyal]

A new business alliance is forming between Russia and Algeria, Africa’s largest gas producer.

A visit to Africa later this year by Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to cement ties with oil and diamond producer Angola as well.

Gazprom, the dominant supplier of natural gas to northern Europe from Russia, and Sonatrach, the dominant supplier of natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to southern Europe from Algeria, have begun detailed planning for what critics have begun calling the gas producers’ Opec.

This follows Putin’s visit to Algiers last month and meetings there between Gazprom CE Alexei Miller and two Algerian officials, Power Minister Shakib Khelilem and Sonatrach president Mohammed Meziane.

A formal memorandum of co-operation is due to be signed during a follow-up visit to Moscow. Gazprom will not say exactly what date has been fixed.....

Russia to form gas production alliance with Algeria