Algeria's state-run energy company, Sonatrach, has announced that it succeeded in increasing its crude oil exports in October to 2.77 million tonnes of oil equivalent.

According to a senior official at the company, Algeria has been investing in new technology to boost outputs at its fields after several years of deteriorating production caused by weak foreign oil investor interest. “In the past few years, we used to export 1.9 to 2 million tonnes of crude oil per month,” the official told Reuters, adding that additional exports were delivered to new clients in Cuba and Australia.

The state-run energy company's oil output for this year has increased by 8%. Its overall output of crude and oil products is expected to reach 69 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2016 from the 67 million recorded in 2015. Natural gas production is expected to increase to 132.2 billion cubic metres from 128.3 billion cubic metres.

Anita Fatunji