Sonatrach signs three contracts for oil exploration in south Algeria

Jan 17, 2010 01:00 AM

Algeria's Sonatrach company had signed three contracts with foreign companies to explore for oil in the southern region of the country.
Sonatrach signed deals with six companies from China, Thailand, Spain, France, and Italy, to explore for oil in the southern state of Illizi.

Sonatrach is ready to place tenders to operate seven oil fields within the current year.
Algerian Minister of Oil Chakib Khelil said on the sidelines of the signing ceremony that deals would increase Algeria's reserve capabilities and would reinforce cooperation between Algeria and other states.

Sonatrach is an Algerian government-owned company established to exploit the hydrocarbon resources of the country.
Its diversified activities cover all aspects of production, exploration, extraction, transport, and refining.