Algeria’s Sonatrach on 16 April announced MoUs with Russian state-firm Zarubezhneft and Turkey’s TPAO “to initiate joint discussions on exploration, development and exploitation opportunities in Algeria.”

Stressing the “attractive” provisions of its new oil law (MEES, 10 January), Sonatrach hopes the deals will lead to a revival in exploration. The state-oil giant signed what appears to be an identical MoU with US major Chevron last month (MEES, 20 March). (CONTINUED - 226 WORDS)