Algeria appoints Bouterfa as new energy minister

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has appointed a new minister of energy and mining on June 11 in a cabinet reshuffle that consultant PGI said was intended to reshape Algerian energy policy and attract foreign investment.

Nouredine Bouterfa was named minister of energy and mining, succeeding Salah Khebri who held the post for 13 months. Bouterfa is a downstream expert with a background in natural gas. He formerly was chief executive officer at Sonelgaz.

PGI of London said the reshuffle came as Algeria’s state revenues, which rely heavily on oil and gas, were severely affected by falling prices and declining production.

Bouterfa previously has advocated higher energy prices to boost state revenues and to make more gas available for export.

All seven incoming ministers are expected to advocate increased gas production and economic liberalization, PGI said. Algeria’s state revenues have dropped 40% since oil and gas prices peaked in 2014.