Summary:

On 15 October 2026, Algeria’s Sonatrach announced that its chief executive, Nour Eddine Daoudi, had held talks with ExxonMobil, Halliburton and Devon Energy during a working visit to the United States from 12 to 16 October.  

Discussions with ExxonMobil focused on oil and gas exploration in Algeria, building on a May 2024 memorandum of understanding covering the Ahnet and Gourara basins. 

Talks with Halliburton addressed digital technologies, artificial intelligence and technical training, while discussions with Devon Energy examined upstream cooperation and potential investment opportunities. 

Outlook: 

Sonatrach’s engagement with major US energy companies reflects Algeria’s efforts to attract foreign expertise as it seeks to develop its hydrocarbon reserves and strengthen production capacity. 

Beyond potential investment, access to advanced exploration technologies and digital systems could help Sonatrach improve the efficiency of its operations and develop resources that require more complex extraction techniques. 

The outreach also signals Algeria’s interest in deepening energy ties with the United States through commercial cooperation. However, the discussions remain exploratory, and their significance for Algeria’s output will depend on whether they translate into concrete agreements and operational projects. 

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