english issue
Hydrocarbon Production in Algeria
Upward Trend in
the 1 st quarter 2017
The hydrocarbon sector (oil and gas
production, refining, liquefaction of the
LNG…) recorded a distinct increase in
its production during the first quarter
2017 estimated at 2.5%, according to
the National Office of Statistics (ONS)
quoted by APS (mass media agency).
Concerning the production of crude
oil and natural gas, the upward trend
was confirmed for the consecutive
fourth quarter. Indeed, the activity
of extraction of crude oil and natural
gas experienced a rise of 3.6% over
the first three months of the year
2017. As for the activity of crude oil
refining, the production experienced
an u pturn by recording a rise of 2.3%
in the first quarter 2017, and this,
after consecutive falls recorded in the
third quarter 2016 (- 6.1%) and fourth
quarter 2016 (- 10.2%). However, the
activity of liquefaction of natural gas
characterized a counter- performance
by recording a drop of 2.2% in the first
quarter 2017 compared to the same
quarter 2016, according to ONS report.
Concerning the energy sector in its
entirety (hydrocarbons, electricity…),
although it recorded a growth of 3.5%
between January and the end of March
2017, this result was less important
compared to that recorded in the 4th
quarter 2016 during which the growth
had been of 5.8%, but better than
that of the first quarter of the year
2016 which had been only 1.7%. It
should be reminded that the primary
production of hydrocarbons reached
32.6 million TEP over the first two
months of 2017, that is to say 102% of
the objective, corresponding to a rise
of 4% compared to the achievements
of the same period of 2016, indicated
Sonatrach last March. Concerning
exports in volumes, their total level
reached 17.9 million TEP between
January and the end of February 2017,
that is to say 117% completion rate of
the objective, a rise of 7% compared to
the achievements of the same period
of 2016. The production of natural gas
had reached 22.4 billion m3, that is to
say 103% completion rate compared
to the objective, an increase of 6%
compared to the achievements at the
end of February 2016, knowing that
the shutdown for maintenance in Gassi
Touil (12 million m3/day) was carried
out during the month of January 2017.
As for the crude oil production, it had
reached 8.13 million tons, that is to
say 99% of the objective, a rise of 3%
compared to the achievements at the
end of February 2016.
Sonatrach
A net profit
of 207 billion
dinars in 2016
Sonatrach group made a net
profit of 207 billion dinars in 2016
and deposited into the Treasury
more than 1,800 billion dinars as
taxation, according to Sonatrach
analysis transmitted by APS.
The group states that under the
terms of the social accounts
ended at December 31st, 2016,
it emerges from the results of
the financial year ended 2016 an
annual turnover of 3,398 billion
dinars, in slight fall compared
to 2015. After deliberation, the
General Assembly of Sonatrach
decided to assign 50 billion dinars
in the form of dividends to be
deposited into the Treasury and
157 billion dinars in facultative
reserves for the financing of
its expansion plan. Sonatrach
also deposited in the Treasury,
during 2016, as taxation, an
amount of 1,863 billion dinars.
In spite of the difficulties of the
oil market, having relation with
the cost of barrel, Sonatrach will
continue the development of its
activities in oil and gas upstream
and downstream, to meet the
national market needs and to take
an active part in the economic
development of the country.
O I L & G A S b u si n e ss / NU M É R O 2 7 / j u i l l e t - a o û t 2 0 1 7 / 5 3