13 Sep 2022 17:03

Algeria has no particular potential for boosting gas exports, inviting Russia to invest

ST. PETERSBURG. Sept 13 (Interfax) - Algeria in recent years has not invested significantly in the development of gas production and amid growing domestic consumption does not have much opportunity to increase gas exports, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Algeria to Russia Smail Benamara said at the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum.

Algeria plans to develop the gasification of the country's regions, bringing gas to every town and village, to every door, he said. "We don't have many opportunities to increase gas exports, so Russian companies can come to us to do exploration - we haven't invested much lately," the ambassador said.

Algeria has substantial offshore gas reserves, Benamara said, and would like to start production at these sites, but this requires technology. "This possibility will be considered sooner or later," he said.

At the same time, Benamara noted that Algeria expects to establish energy partnerships with all countries. The country is now partnering with Russia, the United States, Germany and other European countries, and would like to have as many partners as possible.

Benamara said in a conversation with journalists that in October an Algerian delegation, which will include the Algerian Energy Minister and the head of state company Sonatrach, will visit Russian Energy Week (REN) at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and did not rule out that it will also include a meeting of those OPEC+ ministers who will be present at the event.

"Russia should improve its educational offerings. You are asking very big money for education," the ambassador said, noting that the newly appointed Minister of Education of Algeria studied in Russia and fell in love with mathematics and physics thanks to a Russian teacher.

Algerian specialists are also interested in education in Russia, Benamara said, proposing that branches of Russian oil and gas universities be established in Algeria.

Russian companies invest little in Algeria, he said, as if taking a wait-and-see attitude.