Algeria-Niger: “Kafra South-East 1” Exploration Well, a Promising Project Fruit of Strategic Partnership in Hydrocarbons Sector

The National Drilling Company (ENAFOR), a subsidiary of the Sonatrach Group, has completed in record time the final preparations before launching the drilling of the “Kafra South-East 1” exploration well in the Agadez region (northern Niger), approximately 85 km from Algeria’s southern border.

This large-scale and promising project—the first of its kind carried out by an Algerian company in northern Niger—is the result of a strategic partnership to which the leaders of both countries attach particular importance, aiming for its concrete implementation on the ground to develop the hydrocarbons sector and strengthen bilateral cooperation in this vital field.

Despite challenging weather conditions, difficult terrain, and various logistical hurdles, ENAFOR rose to the challenge by transporting all drilling equipment, as well as the workshop and the fully equipped base camp, from Hassi Messaoud—located more than 2,000 km away—in order to launch drilling operations within the set deadlines.

In this context, the official in charge of transporting and installing drilling equipment, Abdelaziz Mahfoud, stated to APS that ENAFOR had completed the final touches in anticipation of the start of the drilling operation, which will reach a depth of 3,900 meters.

He added that ENAFOR possesses extensive experience in this field, having already completed similar projects in the Sultanate of Oman while preparing to launch others. He emphasized the “major importance” of this project given the expected productive results, noting the “positive indicators derived from preliminary studies.”

He indicated that through this project, the company is transferring its know-how to Nigerien counterparts via “technology transfer and the training of cadres and workers in the hydrocarbons sector in this brotherly country.”

In this context, the Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mohamed Arkab, had highlighted in a previous statement the importance of the “Kafra” oil field project, specifying that the Sonatrach Group has been operating in this field for some time and has obtained “considerable and encouraging” results.

For his part, the Minister of Petroleum of the Republic of Niger, Hamadou Tini, during a previous visit to Algeria, welcomed this important oil project which reflects the “unprecedented and strategic” level of relations between his country and Algeria. He expressed the gratitude of the Nigerien people regarding the inauguration of several major strategic projects recently, such as the power plant project carried out as a donation from Algeria to Niger, in addition to the implementation of the various clauses of agreements concluded between the two countries, notably those signed during the meeting of the high joint commission held in Niamey last March.