Niger’s Minister of Petroleum, Mahaman Moustapha Barké Bako, announced on Wednesday in Niamey that the country is prepared to create favorable conditions for Sonatrach to resume its operations, particularly at the Kafra oil field. This announcement came via a statement from the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
During discussions with Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, Mr. Barké Bako highlighted Niger’s readiness to “provide all favorable conditions for Sonatrach to resume its activities in Niger, especially at the Kafra oil field,” as stated in the official release.
In this context, the Nigerien minister proposed forming a joint task force consisting of experts from both nations to enhance exchanges, consultations, and oversee all ongoing and future projects. This includes support from Sonatrach for the Nigerien company SONIDEP.
Highlighting Niger’s abundant natural energy resources, Mr. Barké Bako underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in other areas such as electricity generation and transmission, renewable energies, and mineral resource exploitation.
Minister Arkab expressed Algeria’s “readiness to transfer its expertise and knowledge to the Nigerien side to assist in developing the petroleum industry, following the directives and instructions of Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune,” according to the statement.
This support will be provided through Sonatrach by enhancing its presence in Niger and fulfilling its contractual commitments, as well as resuming activities related to the exploitation and production-sharing at the Kafra oil field.
The statement noted that the ministers reviewed the latest developments in Sonatrach’s activities at the Kafra oil field, following the update and renewal contract signed in February 2022 for the 2015 agreement. The goal is to ensure a better assessment of hydrocarbon reserves at the Kafra site based on discoveries made during exploration operations.
The meeting took place as part of Mr. Arkab’s working visit to Niger on Wednesday. Several officials attended, including Sonatrach CEO Rachid Hachichi, the acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Algerian Embassy in Niamey, the General Director of Sonatrach International Exploration and Production (SIPEX), and senior officials from the ministry and Sonatrach, the statement concluded.
