By: Energy capital & power

Algeria’s national oil company Sonatrach, state-owned QatarEnergy and oil major TotalEnergies have signed a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for the Ahara perimeter in southeastern Algeria. The contract follows the conclusion of the Algeria Bid Round 2024 – the first international tender launched by the national hydrocarbon agency ALNAFT under Hydrocarbons Law No. 19-13.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sonatrach will hold a 51% stake, while QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies will each hold a 24.5% share. TotalEnergies will serve as the operator during the exploration and appraisal phases.

The Ahara perimeter spans approximately 14,900 km² and is located at the junction of the Berkine and Illizi basins. These basins are two of Algeria’s most productive hydrocarbon regions. The project falls within Algeria’s broader strategy to attract foreign investment and increase energy production under a reformed legal and fiscal framework introduced in 2019.