Algeria’s drive to revive energy production has gained ground in 2025 as the government looks to unlock new growth from gas exports — leading to a new $60 billion investment plan announced by Minister of Energy and Mines Mohamed Arkab on Oct. 6. Some 80% of that total, which is set to be deployed between 2025 and 2029, is earmarked for upstream exploration and production. 

The news comes amid renewed momentum in Algeria’s energy sector as foreign investment returns. In June 2025, the OPEC member held its first oil and gas licensing round in a decade, attracting significant international interest and awarding five of six exploration blocks, mostly for gas. Winners included Italy’s Eni, France’s TotalEnergies and China’s Sinopec, among others.

Contracts could add 20 billion cubic meters of gas annually, a key step in reversing stagnant output and potentially bolstering the North African nation’s role as a European gas supplier. Encouraged by this success, Algiers plans to launch another auction in early 2026, which could unlock further progress. 

Critical to this drive will be the country’s estimated 707 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable shale gas reserves — ranking third globally behind China and Argentina and ahead of the United States. This potential has piqued the interest of American supermajors: On Aug. 15, Bloomberg reported Algeria was close to finalizing deals with Exxon and Chevron to tap the nation’s unconventional gas.