Algeria has officially launched the Algeria Bid Round 2026, offering seven hydrocarbon exploration zones for international competition.
According to Algeria Press Service (APS), the launch ceremony was presided over by the Minister of State for Energy, Mines and Renewable Energies, Mohamed Arkab.
International oil and gas companies have been invited to submit bids by November 26, 2026. This timeline will enable Sonatrach, Algeria’s state-owned oil company, to sign exploration contracts by January 31, 2027.
Following the successful Algeria Bid Round 2024, the 2026 round aims to align the entire process with Algeria’s hydrocarbons law. The legislation incorporates environmental commitments, including reducing gas flaring, controlling methane emissions from oil facilities, and advancing hydrogen and carbon capture projects.
Hydrocarbons remain central to Algeria’s economy. According to the International Monetary Fund, they accounted for an average of 92% of total exports and 43% of fiscal revenues in 2024.
Hydrocarbon export revenues reached $45.23 billion in 2024, down from $50.49 billion in 2023, according to Algeria’s central bank annual report published in September 2025. This decline highlights the need for Algeria to replenish its reserves to sustain revenues in the short to medium term.
Meanwhile, non-hydrocarbon exports are showing positive momentum, having grown by 16% in the first quarter of the current year compared to the same period in 2025.
