Transneft Delegation on a Visit to Algeria

As it was announced by Transneft on July 18, 2016, meetings were held with representatives of national government agencies as well as the management of the national oil and gas company Sonatrach.

During the discussion with Mrs Massout Samia, Director for Transportation of the General Directorate for Hydrocarbons of the Algerian Energy Ministry, head of the delegation, Vice President of Transneft Mikhail Margelov noted that in a challenging world energy market Algeria persistently implements a large-scale programme for the development of the oil and gas industry as the powerhouse of national economy. In this context, the unique experience in construction, operation, and maintenance of the petroleum transport infrastructure, accumulated by Transneft, can be in demand. The sides exchanged opinions about the possible areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.

During the meeting with Abderrahmane Benguerrah, Director for Western Europe of the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the engagement of Transneft with its potential Algerian partner Sonatrach was discussed. The Transneft delegation expressed keen interest to participate in a variety of bilateral events, including in the work of the mixed Intergovernmental Russian-Algerian Commission for Commercial, Economic, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation as well as in sessions of the Workgroup for Energy Cooperation under the Intergovernmental Commission. The Algerian side saluted the Russian company’s proposals and promised assistance in the areas falling within the jurisdiction of the Algerian MFA.

Transneft representatives visited the headquarters of Sonatrach, where a meeting took place with Vice President for Hydrocarbon Transportation Arbi Bey Slimane and experts in the operation of oil and gas pipeline systems. Presentations of the company’s subsidiaries, Transneft Diascan and Transneft R&D, were held as part of the event. The Algerian partners were presented the technologies, technological solutions, and know-hows which proved their worth in international markets.

Information about the International Association of Oil Transporters roused the interest of the Sonatrach management, as a promising platform for interaction with international operators of oil trunk pipelines and for exchange of experience. It was suggested that the Algerian company could join this organization as an observer or associate member.

Sonatrach confirmed its interest in considering specific areas of cooperation with Transneft. The possibility of signing the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding was also discussed.