Your account has been succesfully created.

Subscribe now

ALGERIA

Newly appointed as energy minister, Attar is already working to tighten his grip on Sonatrach

The arrival of a former Sonatrach CEO at the head of Algeria's energy ministry will greatly limit the powers of the state oil firm's already weakened boss. [...] (314 words)

Issue dated 29/06/2020 Reading time 2 minutes

This article may be accessed by subscribers and e-wallet holders (USD 12.50)

2 options offered to continue reading

e-wallet

from EUR/USD 50

Only buy articles you are interested in

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

Unlimited access to the website

See our rates

Choose the option that suits you best: Compare all of our offers!

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

Create your free account

Do you want a free trial before subscribing?

create a free account

Still no light at end of tunnel for 1,000 MW solar project

Several solar energy specialists, including Scatec and Engie, are studying the call for tenders that Algeria issued in December. But the project specifications are missing, and the minister for energy transition lacks the clout of his counterpart at the energy ministry, not to mention of Sonatrach and Sonelgaz. [...]

ALGERIA 19/10/2021

Sonatrach-Cosider desalination partnership hits the rocks

At the head of a group of 11 desalination plants, Sonatrach is looking for a subcontractor to build and put into service a new unit near Algiers. Its construction, and that of two others, had however been the subject of an agreement with the national construction company Cosider. [...]

MOROCCO ALGERIA 26/08/2021

Despite Rabat and Algiers spat, MEG gas pipeline 'last-chance' talks continue

The break on 24 August in diplomatic relations between Morocco and Algeria came in the midst of talks on the renewal of the Maghreb Europe gas pipeline (MEG) contract, a key project for both countries which may well survive the crisis. [...]

Maghreb Europe gas pipeline (MEG). © Naturgy

ALGERIA 24/06/2021

Snubbed Citic still hopeful for huge phosphate project

Chinese giant Citic, shortlisted by Sonatrach in 2018 but then dropped, is scrambling to get back into its good books. The Algerian state-owned firm is looking for a new partner for a massive project to exploit the country's phosphate reserves, and Citic wants to be the chosen one. [...]

ALGERIA 03/03/2021

Complex web of relations behind energy ministry shake-up

Abdelmadjid Attar has paid the price of his clash with Sonelgaz and Sonatrach bosses, Chahar Boulakhras and Toufik Hakkar, leaving the ministry of energy after just eight months at the helm. [...]

Mohamed Arkab, back as Algeria's energy minister. © Christian Bruna/EPA/Newscom/MaxPPP

ALGERIA 23/02/2021

Sonelgaz boss Boulakhras struggles to repower grid command centre

The national power board has still not awarded a contract for the construction of a new system to manage power production and distribution despite receiving bids from five sector leaders. [...]

Sonelgaz CEO Chahar Boulakhras. © Sonelgaz

ALGERIA 04/02/2021

Petrofac files for arbitration at risk of losing Sonatrach markets

Petrofac had no other choice but to bring the courts into its dispute with the oil trio Equinor-BP-Sonatrach but may end up paying a high price for the move. [...]

The gas installations of In Salah, Algeria. © Petrofac

ALGERIA 23/10/2020

Energy minister and Sonatrach boss at loggerheads after sizing up period

bdelmadjid Attar, who became energy minister on 23 June, is no longer holding back in private in his criticism of Sonatrach chairman and chief executive Toufik Hakkar. [...]

Energy Minister Abdelmadjid Attar. © energy.gov.dz

ALGERIA 30/09/2020

Sonatrach CEO Toufik Hakkar faces crisis by relying on trusted few

The head of the oil colossus Sonatrach has consolidated his teams with people his trusts, hoping he can hold on to his seat a little while longer. [...]

Toufik Hakkar, Sonatrach CEO. © Sonatrach

ALGERIA 31/08/2020

Tebboune loyalist Youcef Cherfa shakes up capital's public services

Appointed on 25 January as wali of Algiers by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Youcef Cherfa has begun to make his mark on the many public industrial and commercial establishments (EPICs) placed under his authority. [...]

ALGERIA 26/08/2020

Energy Minister Attar's veteran E&P trio to counter Sonatrach

The new Minister of Energy Abdelmadjid Attar has surrounded himself with prominent oil and gas figures all of whom were once senior executives under Sonatrach's former boss Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour. [...]

The Energy Minister Abdelmadjid Attar. © energy.gov.dz

ALGERIA 07/07/2020

Sonatrach eases Altime's pain over Mediterranean games postponement

Oran construction firm Altime Services won a second big Sonarach contract on 21 June. [...]

ALGERIA 02/07/2020

Electronics supplier Samy Boudjemaa goes from strength to strength with interior ministry deals

Head of security guard firm Sécurité 2000 and General Abdennour Aït Mesbah's son-in-law, Samy Boudjemaa is turning out to be a major supplier of electronics to customs and police services. [...]

ALGERIA 18/06/2020

Sonatrach chief Toufik Hakkar sacks his potential rivals in a fit of nerves Free

In a desperate bid to hold on to his job, the state oil company boss is pulling out all the stops to try to get rid of managers who could undermine his own position. [...]

Toufik Hakkar, CEO of Sonatrach. © Sonatrach

ALGERIA 05/06/2020

Ambassador Driencourt set to leave his post amid diplomatic tensions

Much appreciated by Algiers during the era of former president Bouteflika, it's time for French ambassador Xavier Driencourt to move on. As he readies to leave in the next few months, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has gone on the offensive against Paris in a calculated populist move. [...]

The French ambassador in Algiers Xavier Driencourt. © DR

ALGERIA 15/05/2020

Oxy left holding Anadarko assets with Total excluded and Sonatrach cash-strapped

Although Sonatrach had exercised its right of pre-emption over the Algerian assets of Anadarko - acquired by Oxy and for which Total had made an offer - the boss of the state-owned oil company has had to face up to reality: [...]

ALGERIA 03/03/2020

Mustapha Hanifi: fall of the ministry's hydrocarbons emperor

After Sonatrach chief executive Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour left the firm in April 2019 after two years at the job, the [...]

Receive free prompts for these topics

ALGERIA
Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Abdelmadjid Attar
Abdelmadjid Tebboune
Ali Benflis
Chakib Khelil
Covid-19
Mohamed Arkab
Sonatrach
Sonelgaz
Toufik Hakkar

New: Sign up for real-time alerts and be notified of new editions!

Once registered, you will be notified by a short message on your computer or mobile phone as soon as a new edition of our publication or an alert is published. Stay informed anytime, anywhere!

Chad, Togo and Ivory Coast vie for blue helmet contracts

The secret story of Déby clan's links with Nigerian mogul Ali Modu Sheriff