Maghreb Edition

In-Depth: Algeria’s gas sector facing internal woes and aggressive competition from Qatar



Posted On 23 May 2022

Number of times this article was read : 591

By Arezki Daoud: Algeria could have benefited from Russia’s war on Ukraine to maximize its revenue potential from exporting gas to a tense European market. But troubled by an unprecedented political crisis and a rocky presidential transition at home, Algeria’s leaders have failed to anticipate global geopolitical events that are reshaping the energy sector and have neglected to inject investments in the country’s gas industry necessary to boost production. While for at least next few years, Algeria cannot be counted on as a major contributor to offset the drop of Russian gas supply to Europe, the longer term prospect is also not fully assured as Qatar has launched an aggressive campaign to secure export deals with Europe, challenging Algeria on its turf.

Companies cited in this analysis: Sonatrach, Neptune Energy, Tecnicas Reunidas, Total Energies, Cepsa, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Spanish public financing agency Cofides

Continue here | Subscribe here

Sign up to free weekly recap on North Africa and the Sahel

We send out a weekly newsletter every Friday, highlighting the most important events of the week. Sign up today, it is free.

Why Morocco’s Protests Aren’t Just About Youth: The Fight for Dignity and Justice

Morocco is facing its largest wave of unrest in years, with mass protests erupting across major cities demanding better hospitals, schools, and an end to corruption.

The North Africa Journal's WhatsApp Group

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Libya: The Strange Case of Hannibal Gaddafi: From Exile to Detention to Release

Hannibal Gaddafi, son of Libya’s former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, was released from a Lebanese prison in November 2025 after nearly ten years in detention. Gaddafi was originally kidnapped from Syria in 2015 by militants seeking information about the 1978 disappearance of Lebanese cleric Musa al-Sadr—a case that has strained Libya–Lebanon relations for decades.

Algeria: 25 Executives Charged in Alleged Metals Fraud

The trial of 25 senior figures from Algeria’s state-run metals group Imetal, including former executives and public officials, is set to begin on November 24 in Algiers. The case involves allegations of large-scale corruption, public fund diversion, and favoritism in public contracts, exposing deeper risks of opaque management in Algerian state-run industries. Prosecutors say the scandal contributed to production losses and repeated breakdowns at strategic facilities.

Sahel: Foreign Workers Targeted in New Mali Kidnappings

A string of recent kidnappings in western and northern Mali—including the abduction of five Indian technicians and an Emirati businessman—highlights the increasing risks for foreign workers engaged in energy, mining, and infrastructure projects. The evolving tactics of armed groups and complex negotiation processes have led companies to overhaul security protocols and adjust operations to cope with persistent threats.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.