ALGIERS – Algeria’s national oil company Sonatrach is studying the possibility of establishing a joint venture with the Mauritanian Hydrocarbons Company (SMH) to distribute and market petroleum products in Mauritania, in addition to cooperation projects covering the entire hydrocarbons value chain, said Sonatrach CEO Rachid Hachichi on Sunday in Nouakchott.
The announcement was made during a working meeting between Hachichi and SMH Director General Ismail Abdel Vetah, in the presence of Algeria’s Ambassador to Mauritania, Amine Sid. The meeting took place as part of a high-level visit by the Sonatrach CEO to Nouakchott, accompanied by senior executives from the group, according to a statement issued by Sonatrach.
Hachichi stated that Sonatrach is “currently studying the possibility of creating a joint venture for the distribution and marketing of petroleum products in Mauritania,” expressing the company’s readiness to support SMH, particularly through technical assistance along the value chain.
This visit comes within the framework of implementing the axes of the memorandum of understanding signed in January with the Mauritanian side. Hachichi reiterated Sonatrach’s openness to all cooperation opportunities based on a “win-win” principle.
He added that the meeting provided an opportunity to examine ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, explore investment opportunities, and exchange expertise in exploration, production, transport, oil services, and training. It is also part of efforts to follow up on strategic areas outlined in the memorandum, especially regarding training.
Several SMH engineers have already begun training at the Algerian Petroleum Institute (IAP), and Hachichi confirmed Sonatrach’s willingness to host more Mauritanian engineers at its production units to enhance their skills and on-site experience.
For his part, Abdel Vetah welcomed the level of cooperation between the two companies and expressed satisfaction with the training outcomes for Mauritanian engineers provided by Sonatrach. He also mentioned ongoing projects with Sonatrach, including plans to establish a joint company for gas exploration in the coastal basin and another for petroleum product distribution and marketing, as well as broader cooperation across the hydrocarbons value chain. He expressed hope that this visit would give new momentum to energy relations between the two brotherly countries.
At the end of the meeting, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) was signed concerning oil fields. This NDA governs the exchange of technical data and exploration-phase information, and is described in the statement as “a key step” toward establishing an effective partnership based on trust and mutual interests.
During the first day of his visit, Hachichi and his delegation toured logistical bases and petroleum installations in the Nouakchott port area, where they were introduced to Mauritania’s logistical and technical capacities.
This visit is part of Sonatrach’s broader strategy to strengthen its regional and international presence by expanding its partnership network and affirming its pivotal role in advancing sustainable energy development in Africa, the statement concluded.
