In addition to producing the flagship fortnightly African Energy, AE’s team of experienced analysts also produce briefings and reports on a range of topics and issues that affect the region. Our expertise can be tapped by anyone and delivered in a range of formats. For more information contact Nick Carn. nick@africa-energy.com
New 2010 report & seminar
Libya’s Energy Future: Industry and Political risk outlook was launched at a Chatham House seminar in London on 20 July.
Based on African Energy’s unparalleled track record in following Libya’s energy story and careful, originally sourced reporting from Libya and global markets, this updated and enlarged special report analyses the major issues and the financial and political trends influencing development of Libya's energy industries. Read more
A detailed guide to electrification in Africa
A 400-page study published in Paris by Karthala, L’Electricité au Coeur des Défis Africains (available in French only) includes an overview of the continental electricity supply industry and examples of generation, transmission and distribution projects. A chapter on decentralised rural electrification is followed by another on the establishment of decentralised services companies.
The book draws on articles and materials from a number of experts and sources, including African Energy.
Order a copy now, priced €36 / £30 plus postage and packing. Email: nick@africa-energy.com
AfricaHardball is an executive dialogue that brings together policy-makers, industry leaders and analysts to discuss the key political issues affecting the African energy industry in frank and open terms.
The last AfricaHardball roundtable was held on 29 June, prior to the start of EnergyNet Ltd’s annual Africa Energy Forum (AEF), in Basel. Read more
On the page below you will find a selection of articles from the African Energy archive. All items preceded by a padlock symbol require a subscription.
Algeria energy maps - link to the Algeria page in the African Energy map library
Sonelgaz bail-out shows how state solutions still predominate
Recent events at state utility Sonelgaz Holding seem to point to the limits of radical thinking on major Algerian energy sector problems. Issue 192, 6 August 2010.more
Government bails out Sonelgaz
The government has stepped in to ease state utility Sonelgaz Holding’s financial troubles by buying an AD200bn ($2.62bn) overdraft. Issue 190, 9 July 2010. more
Challenges to Desertec threaten its ambitions
The much-hyped Desertec initiative to export solar power from North Africa to Europe faces a daunting combination of commercial, political and technological obstacles, write John Hamilton and Jon Marks Issue 181, 26 February 2010.more
Algeria’s solar development strategy
Algeria’s plans for developing more solar capacity for domestic use are advanced. Although the impact of proposed projects on total installed capacity will be slight, the targets are substantial. Issue 181, 26 February 2010.more
Regulator plans industrial tariff hike to woo investors to Algerian electricity opportunities
A soon-to-be-published review will improve the prospects for new power plants and could help solve Sonelgaz’s financial problems, writes John Hamilton, recently in Algiers Issue 180, 5 February 2010.more
Vergnet to build 10MW wind farm
France’s Vergnet has announced a €24m ($33.5m) contract to build the first wind farm in Algeria. The 10MW project will be built in Adrar, southern Algeria, and should be operational in 2012. Issue 180, 5 February 2010.more
As BP ponders Algerian assets, IOCs look for flexibility from the energy sector’s new top team
While Algiers tries to gain better control over Sonatrach’s operations, IOCs remain concerned that the authorities are prone to inflexibility and obsessed with outmoded concepts of national interest. It is in this complex operating environment that speculation is mounting that BP might sell its Algerian assets, write Jon Marks and John Hamilton Issue 192, 6 August 2010.more
Sonatrach’s international operations under scrutiny
Sonatrach’s international upstream and downstream operations, which were promoted by former energy and mines minister Chakib Khelil, have come under scrutiny from the Algerian energy sector’s new management and from investigative authorities. Issue 192, 6 August 2010.more
Petroceltic progress on Isarene, disappointment at Ksar Hadada
While its Tunisia well proved non-commercial, Petroceltic International has signed a contract for appraisal drilling on Algeria’s Isarene permit with Dubai-based drilling contractor Dalma Energy. Issue 192, 6 August 2010.more
After Khelil, Algeria has new minister and Sonatrach top team, but critical questions remain
Chakib Khelil has finally been removed to be replaced by an industry veteran whose economic outlook and political affiliations are subject to widely differing interpretations. The removal of Algeria’s longest-serving energy minister and President Bouteflika’s new appointments are unlikely to herald a return to the more liberal mood of mid-decade, write Jon Marks and John Hamilton Issue 188, 11 June 2010.more
Algeria’s new energy minister: who is Youcef Yousfi?
The new Algerian energy and mines minister was born in the eastern city of Batna on 2 October 1941. Many Algerians will appreciate not having another minister from the west, where President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and many of his most loyal supporters come from. Issue 188, 11 June 2010.more
Algerian finance unaffected by Sonatrach scandals
Insurance markets are unmoved by the corruption enquiries at Sonatrach that have forced the replacement of the state oil company’s top management, but the question of an eventual successor to President Bouteflika is less clear Issue 187, 28 May 2010.more
Cherouati opens his account
The Algerian state company’s new president-director-general Nouredine Cherouati made his first media appearance on 20 May, more than a fortnight after his appointment (AE 186/5). Issue 187, 28 May 2010.more
Sonatrach gets new head, but IOC concerns remain
A conservative choice to lead the national oil company may send a defiant message to minister Khelil’s critics Issue 186, 14 May 2010.more
No respite for Algeria after Oran summit failures
Algeria and its energy industry are transfixed by drift and inertia as anti-corruption enquiries continue, energy minister Chakib Khelil is put under pressure and President Bouteflika’s intentions remain unclear Issue 185, 30 April 2010.more
Sonatrach makes two Illizi finds
Sonatrach has announced two hydrocarbons discoveries in the Illizi Basin. The company said it made the finds with the In Akamil-2 (IAK-2) well in Block 239a and the Ain Antar Est-2 (AARE-2) well in Block 244a in the Tinrhert I area of the basin. Issue 184, 16 April 2010.more
Downstream hydrocarbons update: too many Maghreb projects stalled on the drawing board
The first of a new series of Downstream hydrocarbons update tables suggests there are plenty of projects awaiting lift-off to add value to North African oil and gas producers. But too many schemes in the Maghreb remain stalled for lack of finance and serious development partners Issue 191, 23 July 2010.more
Sonatrach veteran out of the frying pan
Former Sonatrach vice president (downstream) and interim president Abdelhafid Feghouli has been appointed president and chief executive of the Algerian energy giant’s subsidiary Tassili Airlines (Tal), succeeding another former VP, Hocine Chekired, who was relieved of his duties with three other Sonatrach officials. Issue 189, 25 June 2010.more
Petrofac gives GE Oil & Gas $100m contract for El Merk
Petrofac has given GE Oil & Gas a contract worth $100m to supply turbo-compression equipment for Groupement Berkine’s El Merk central processing facility (CPF) in the Berkine Basin. Issue 185, 30 April 2010.more
Hassi R’Mel-Béni Saf pipeline phase 3 opens, Medgaz delayed
The third and final phase of the Hassi R’Mel-Béni Saf (GZ4) gas transport pipeline, running from Mohammedia to Béni Saf, is now operational (AE 172/22). Issue 185, 30 April 2010.more
Khelil takes another turn to the left amid ‘gas Opec’ talk
Recent statements by Chakib Khelil that members of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) should reduce output to halt the decline in the spot price of natural gas point to the pressures on producers, who have seen prices slump as demand dropped and rival suppliers have come on stream. Issue 183, 26 March 2010.more
New Sonatrach regulations could break tender logjam
The introduction of fresh regulations for Sonatrach’s tendering process could release a large backlog of projects at the company within weeks. An Algerian oil services entrepreneur whose company regularly competes for Sonatrach tenders told African Energy the impact of corruption investigations meant the state company was issuing almost no invitations for expressions of interest. Issue 182, 12 March 2010.more
As BP ponders Algerian assets, IOCs look for flexibility from the energy sector’s new top team
While Algiers tries to gain better control over Sonatrach’s operations, IOCs remain concerned that the authorities are prone to inflexibility and obsessed with outmoded concepts of national interest. It is in this complex operating environment that speculation is mounting that BP might sell its Algerian assets, write Jon Marks and John Hamilton Issue 192, 6 August 2010.more
Sonatrach’s international operations under scrutiny
Sonatrach’s international upstream and downstream operations, which were promoted by former energy and mines minister Chakib Khelil, have come under scrutiny from the Algerian energy sector’s new management and from investigative authorities. Issue 192, 6 August 2010.more
After Khelil, Algeria has new minister and Sonatrach top team, but critical questions remain
Chakib Khelil has finally been removed to be replaced by an industry veteran whose economic outlook and political affiliations are subject to widely differing interpretations. The removal of Algeria’s longest-serving energy minister and President Bouteflika’s new appointments are unlikely to herald a return to the more liberal mood of mid-decade, write Jon Marks and John Hamilton Issue 188, 11 June 2010.more
Algeria’s new energy minister: who is Youcef Yousfi?
The new Algerian energy and mines minister was born in the eastern city of Batna on 2 October 1941. Many Algerians will appreciate not having another minister from the west, where President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and many of his most loyal supporters come from. Issue 188, 11 June 2010.more
Algerian finance unaffected by Sonatrach scandals
Insurance markets are unmoved by the corruption enquiries at Sonatrach that have forced the replacement of the state oil company’s top management, but the question of an eventual successor to President Bouteflika is less clear Issue 187, 28 May 2010.more
Sonatrach gets new head, but IOC concerns remain
A conservative choice to lead the national oil company may send a defiant message to minister Khelil’s critics Issue 186, 14 May 2010.more
Subscriber Area
