TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy have been awarded Algeria’s Ahara exploration license, covering 14,900 km² in the Berkine and Illizi Basins. TotalEnergies will operate the project with a 24.5% stake, equal to QatarEnergy’s share, while SONATRACH holds a 51% majority. The license marks a new phase in Algerian hydrocarbon exploration.
TotalEnergies, in collaboration with QatarEnergy, has been awarded the Ahara exploration license in Algeria following the “Algeria Bid Round 2024.” This tender, initiated by the National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT), marks the first licensing round under Algeria’s new hydrocarbon law No.19-13. The Ahara license spans a vast area of approximately 14,900 square kilometers and is strategically situated at the junction of the prolific Berkine and Illizi Basins, known for their rich hydrocarbon potential.
Under the terms of the agreement, TotalEnergies will act as the operator during the Exploration and Appraisal phases. Both TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy will hold an effective interest of 24.5% each in the project. The remaining 51% stake will be held by SONATRACH, Algeria’s state-owned oil and gas company, in compliance with national legislation that mandates majority ownership by the state.
The awarding of the Ahara license reinforces TotalEnergies’ longstanding relationship with SONATRACH and further deepens its strategic footprint in Algeria’s energy sector. Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the significance of the partnership: “TotalEnergies is delighted that its joint bid with QatarEnergy has led to the award of the Ahara license, allowing us to write a new chapter in our long-lasting partnership with SONATRACH in Exploration in Algeria.”
This new license represents a significant development opportunity in a geologically promising region. The Berkine and Illizi Basins have been central to Algeria’s upstream activities, and the addition of the Ahara block offers the potential for further resource discoveries. TotalEnergies' role as operator emphasizes its technical expertise and continued commitment to expanding exploration activities in North Africa.
The award is also a demonstration of the successful implementation of Algeria’s revised hydrocarbon framework, designed to attract international energy investments by offering improved legal and fiscal terms. The collaboration among SONATRACH, TotalEnergies, and QatarEnergy reflects a balanced partnership model that aligns national interests with foreign investment and technical expertise.
Through this project, TotalEnergies aims to reinforce its position as a key player in the exploration and development of hydrocarbon resources in Algeria, contributing to the country’s energy security and economic growth while fostering international cooperation.
TotalEnergies has a long-established presence in Algeria’s energy sector, operating through multiple subsidiaries. The company is actively involved in oil and gas exploration and production, with key interests in the Tin Fouyé Tabankort (TFT) and Timimoun gas fields, as well as the Berkine Basin oil fields (Blocks 404a and 208). It also participates in Algeria’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector through supply agreements with national energy company Sonatrach. In 2023, TotalEnergies produced 51,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) from its stakes in the TFT II and Timimoun gas fields and the Berkine Basin oil blocks.
