Algerian state-owned company Sonatrach has discovered new oil at the Hass iIllatou well in the Sbaa region of Adrar province. The preliminary estimate for the discovery was 151 million barrels of oil. This is a very promising result that will lead to further oil and gas exploration activities in Adrar province.

The North African country is an OPEC member and relies heavily on oil and gas for its national income. Algeria is Africa's largest gas exporter, supplying about 11 percent of Europe's gas consumption.

Algeria's oil production will rise to 1.57 million bpd in September, following the OPEC+ group's decision to increase output by 100,000 bpd, according to Algeria's energy minister, Mohamed Alqab.

Last month, Sonatrach struck a deal with French oil company Total Energies, Occidental Petroleum and Italy's Eni to extend production sharing contracts for onshore blocks in the eastern North African country by 25 years. Keywords: overseas engineering, engineering news

Sonatrach CEO Tewfik Hakkar said the four companies will invest $4 billion around Berkine to produce 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Sonatrach's 2021 turnover is $34.5 billion, with production up 5% and exports up about 18%.Editor/XingWentao