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Algerian protesters criticise plans to develop shale gas
ALGERIA
OPPOSITION groups in Algeria have begun voicing objections to the government’s plans to explore and develop domestic shale gas reserves.
Algerian university students rst raised the issue during a street protest on January 24, when they called for the national oil company (NOC) Sonatrach to halt work at shale gas elds. Accord- ing to the Arab Weekly, the topic inspired mass chants, with demonstrators calling out: “ ere is no tapping of shale gas. Tell France to do it in Paris!” ( e latter part of the chant appears to have been a reference to Sonatrach’s talks with foreign investors on the prospects for setting up joint ventures for the exploration and develop- ment of unconventional gas elds.)
The NOC’s plans also drew criticism at a separate protest on January 28. Asharq Al-Aw- sat reported afterwards that protesters had denounced Algeria’s current government for what they called “selling the country’s wealth.” The newspaper also quoted sources close to the government as saying that Sonatrach had responded to these criticisms by suspending its work at shale gas elds. As of press time, how- ever, these reports could not be con rmed.
Demonstrators began raising the subject of shale gas shortly after Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said during a televised press conference that he favoured proposals for
exploiting domestic shale gas reserves, which he described as a potential source of new revenue.
Sonatrach has good reasons to focus on unconventional gas, Tebboune told reporters.
Algeria produces more gas than oil, and its shale gas reserves appear to be among the largest in the world, he said. e country would ben- e t from the development of these reserves, he asserted.
“I do not understand why some people oppose tapping shale gas while they advocate for borrowing money from abroad. Why?” he remarked.
e president also said that Sonatrach was ready to work with outside investors on uncon- ventional gas projects. “ e door is open to those who want to bene t from the country’s shale gas,” he stated.
“Algerians should know that shale gas is bur- ied wealth, and if we want to raise people’s stand- ard of living, we must exploit it,” he added.
e North African state has said that it has the third-largest reserves of unconventional gas in the world. It estimates the size of those reserves at 22tn cubic metres. Sonatrach’s e orts to set up partnerships with foreign companies to develop these deposits have faltered, largely because potential investors are concerned about ongoing civil unrest in Algeria. ™
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w w w. N E W S B A S E . c o m Week 05 06•February•2020