Algeria and Ghana seal R&D MoU in oil and gas sector

Algeria’s state oil company Sonatrach and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) have signed an MoU to cooperate on research, development and innovation in the oil and gas sector.

The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) in Brazzaville on January 6, sets out plans to share expertise, explore joint projects and establish working structures to support energy security and sustainable development across Africa.

The signing took place in the presence of APPO’s new Secretary General, Farid Ghezali, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) said in a press release.

The AEC expressed its full support for Sonatrach and GNPC in advancing African-led R&D collaboration. “The agreement signifies APPO as not only an instrumental part in facilitating the partnership but a central force in bringing all parties together to ratify this important deal,” the Chamber said.

According to the AEC, the MoU shows a growing recognition by national oil companies (NOCs) that innovation, technology and the sharing of knowledge are crucial to creating value, cutting costs and keeping Africa competitive in a fast-changing global energy market.

The scope of cooperation covers advanced seismic and digital technologies, including AI-based subsurface analysis, real-time reservoir modelling and digital oilfields, aimed at improving recovery rates, extending asset life and maximising returns from existing infrastructure.

It also includes asset integrity management and hydrocarbon valorisation. Alongside upstream development, the agreement incorporates energy transition priorities, such as emissions reduction, low-carbon solutions, hydrogen, and green technologies.

The agreement comes at a key moment for Ghana’s energy sector development. According to the AEC, 17 oil and gas projects are scheduled for development by 2027. Recent drilling success at the Jubilee oilfield highlights renewed upstream momentum. A $2bn exploration expansion at Jubilee will include 20 new wells. In gas, Ghana is advancing projects to monetise about 2.1 trillion cubic feet, or 59.5bn cubic metres (bcm) of resources, including a new processing plant with capacity of 150mn cubic feet (mmcf) per day, or 4.25mn cubic metres (mcm) per day.

As one of Africa’s largest oil and gas producers, Algeria is well placed to support Ghana’s energy ambitions. Sonatrach is implementing a five-year plan involving up to $60bn of investment, focused on sustaining exploration and production and expanding downstream capacity.

According to the AEC, by working together, APPO, Sonatrach and GNPC are promoting an African-led approach that links hydrocarbons development with innovation, sustainability, economic growth and long-term energy security.

“APPO continues to showcase a commitment to advancing Africa’s hydrocarbon development. This MoU shows that African NOCs are investing in innovation to secure the continent’s energy future,” AEC’s Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk said in the statement.

“Research and technology are critical to producing oil and gas more efficiently and sustainably, while supporting the broader energy transition. Africa needs oil and gas to develop, and partnerships like this ensure those resources deliver long-term value for our people,” he added.