VOL. XLI

No. 29

20-July-1998

ALGERIA

Sonatrach Reports 14.6% Increase in Profits in 1997

The Algerian state-owned oil and gas company, Sonatrach, said in a press release lastweek, that the total value of Algeria's oil and gas exports in 1997 was $13.2bn, fivepercent up on 1996. The company netted a profit of $1.96bn, up from $1.71bn on 1996. With50 wells, over 140,000 meters drilled, and six new oil and one new gas discovery,Sonatrach characterized 1997 as the best year for exploration in...