Algeria’s Sonatrach and China’s Sinopec have signed a deal to collaborate in a number of areas, including LNG.
The duo signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday in Algiers to expand their partnership and to work together on new opportunities, according to a Sonatrach statement.
Under the deal, Sonatrach and Sinopec will identify joint investment opportunities in hydrocarbon exploration and production projects, integrating co-operation in the field of LNG and petrochemicals in Algeria but also abroad, the statement said.
In addition, the memorandum strengthens their partenersip in Algeria’s Zarzaitine oil field in southern Illizi Basin.
The agreement looks to extend the operating life of Zarzaitine beyond 2023, according to Sonatrach.
Algeria became the world’s first LNG producer in 1964 when the Arzew facility came online.
According to GIIGNL data, Algeria has currently about 25.3 mtpa operational LNG export capacity at the Arzew and Skikda facilities, both operated by Sonatrach. Most of Algeria’s LNG lands in Turkey, France, and Italy.