Algeria’s gas exports this year are expected to drop by 4.7%, energy minister Abdelmadjid Attar, hit by reduced demand from Europe and competition from cheaper US supplies.
The North African country, which derives 95% of its foreign revenue from oil and gas sales, is expected to export 41 billion cubic metres of gas this year, down from 43 billion cubic metre in 2019, the minister said.
Oil and gas revenues amounted to $33 billion in 2019 and is forecast to be $23 billion this year, Reuters reported.
Total gas output will reach 126 billion cubic metres, versus 127 billion cubic metres in 2019, according to Attar.
This comes amid hampered production due to ageing fields and lack of investment while domestic consumption has grown by 5.3% per year since 2009 to reach 46 billion cubic metres last year.
Remarkably, Algeria last year passed an energy law aimed at making its oil and gas sectors a more attractive.