Towards A Friendly Settlement Between Algeria And Total In Anadarko Case

 It is now almost certain that Algeria and Total are seeking a friendly settlement of the French company’s acquisition of Anadarko’s American assets in oil and gas fields in the south of the country after the agreement signed between Total and Oxy, the new owner of Anadarko, as the French energy firm bought the latter’s entire assets across the African continent, including Algeria.

A statement from the Ministry of Energy of which Echorouk received   a copy, said that Minister Mohamed Arkab received on Thursday, the General Director of Total France, Mr. Patrick Pouyanne, in the presence of the President and General Manager of Sonatrach Mr. Rachid Hachichi.

The statement said the two sides stressed the firm desire of the economic partners (Sonatrach and Total) to safeguard their common interests.

According to the statement, the Algerian and French parties are looking for a new consensus, as was announced during his visit to Tindouf a few days ago, especially as he mentioned the phrase “preserving common interests and developing a pragmatic partnership in the long and medium term.”

The statement also sought to give indications that Algeria is a total partner in the development of oil and gas fields in addition to the activity of marine fuels.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the relations between Total and Sonatrach, particularly in the gas fields, and prospects for increased cooperation between the two energy groups in high value added projects in Algeria and abroad.

The two sides also discussed the feasibility of future projects that will be implemented in land and marine areas, renewable energies and petrochemicals.

Minister Arkab issued a pre-emptive injunction to preclude the deal from being sealed, especially since Anadarko did not first respond to the Algerian authorities’ queries.

He first stated that the deal was invalid, but he altered his stance one day later to declare that Algeria was open to a good settlement of the outstanding issues.

On the other hand, a statement from the Ministry of Energy further indicated that Mohamed Arkab also received on Thursday the General Manager of the Spanish Company Natergy (formerly Natural Gas) Mr Francisco Ria with Mr. Rachid Hachichi, the CEO  manager of Sonatrach attending.

The statement pointed out that the encounter focused on ways to further shore up the partnership between the two sides and to promote their common interests, especially through the Medgaz gas pipeline.