Abd al-Hamid Zerguine has been relieved of his duties as the head of Algeria’s national oil company. Said Sahnoun, formerly Sonatrach’s upstream vice-president, has been appointed as interim head. The change of leadership comes as a much trumpeted bid round draws to a close.

Press reports about Mr Zerguine’s departure from the top post were published over the weekend, and Platts cited a ministry statement confirming his sacking on 29 July. Phone calls made to Mr Zerguine later in the week went unanswered. (CONTINUED - 674 WORDS)