Sonatrach resumes activity in Libya

Algerian state energy firm Sonatrach will resume its activity in Libya, in the Zentane region on the border with Algeria, the company's chief executive Abdelhamid Zerguine announced. Zerguine added that the area of the oilfield has a reserve worth 45 million barrels. The oilfield's potential has however not been officially quantified as oil extraction will begin in the next 12 to 18 months. Sonatrach evacuated its employees due to poor security conditions at the beginning of last year when a number of thefts and aggressions from armed militants were reported. The Algerian energy giant had signed a cooperation partnership with Libya's National Oil Corporation in 2010.(ANSAmed).