Algeria and Niger begin drilling an oil well near their shared border

Algerian Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane and his Nigerien counterpart, Ali Mohamed Lamine Zeine, launched drilling operations for the “Kefra Southeast 1” exploration well in Niger on Thursday, approximately 85 kilometers from the shared border. This step is described as “a new milestone in the growing momentum of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.”

In his speech, the Algerian Prime Minister emphasized that “the launch of drilling operations for the ‘Kefra Southeast 1’ exploration well marks a new phase in the strategic partnership between the two countries.” He noted that “the achievements realized in this project are the result of intensive efforts by officials, experts, engineers, and technicians, despite complex field conditions, harsh natural circumstances, and logistical challenges.”

The Algerian Prime Minister clarified that his country’s ambition “is not limited to completing the ‘Kefra’ project through all its stages, but extends toward building an integrated and sustainable industrial partnership.” He added that “this model of balanced, comprehensive, and fruitful cooperation represents one of the fundamental pillars of the Algerian approach, which aims to build an African energy partnership based on integration and serving the goals of sustainable development.”

He further explained that “this bilateral cooperation naturally extends into the multilateral dimension, particularly through the Trans-Saharan Pipeline project, which has entered implementation phases as a strategic project and a key link in the process of African integration.”

For his part, Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Zeine, the guest of honor, praised “the level of bilateral cooperation and the strategic importance of the project,” affirming that “this achievement represents a prominent milestone in the partnership between the two countries.”

It is worth noting that the initial drilling operations for the project are being carried out by the Algerian hydrocarbons company Sonatrach, targeting a depth of 3,900 meters at a site located 85 kilometers from the border shared by the two countries.

The estimated reserves of this exploration well amount to approximately 260 million barrels. The project operates under a production-sharing agreement signed between Sonatrach and the Nigerien authorities in 2015, which was renewed in 2022.