01/05/2008
Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines Chekib Khelil visited neighbouring Tunisia on Wednesday (April 30th) to discuss possible oil and gas sector co-operation with Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi. The officials spoke specifically about the newly established company NUMHYD, a joint venture of the two countries' national oil and gas firms Sonatrach and Etap. NUMHYD will be tasked with oil prospecting activities in both Tunisian and Algerian territories and would co-ordinate and oversee joint investment in the energy field. Khelil and Ghannouchi also reviewed a project for natural gas supply to several border villages and the possibility of consolidating the two countries' power grids.