Algiers – On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, during the Gastech 2025 Conference and Exhibition in Milan, Italy, Rachid Hachichi, President and General Manager of Sonatrach, emphasized the critical role of natural gas in maintaining the balance of global energy markets, according to a statement from the company reported by aps.dz.
The statement noted that Hachichi participated in a closed strategic session on the first day of the international event, focusing on the theme “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Natural Gas to Ensure Energy Market Stability.” During the session, attended by approximately 30 energy sector decision-makers, Hachichi stressed the importance of natural gas as a “key force in maintaining the balance of global energy markets, particularly amid geopolitical fluctuations, the emergence of major energy consumers, and the increasing demand for energy driven by the growing use of artificial intelligence.”
He also addressed environmental challenges, emphasizing the need for clean, low-carbon energy sources and the importance of unified efforts between producers and consumers to maintain natural gas as a primary and clean energy source. Hachichi underscored the crucial role of public institutions and regulatory bodies in establishing a legal and regulatory framework to enable natural gas to fulfill its anticipated role.
Additionally, Hachichi participated in a panel discussion alongside Masoud Salman Moussa, Chairman of Libya’s National Oil Corporation, on the topic “Redefining the Role of National Oil Companies in an Era of Energy Uncertainty.” He highlighted the importance of state-owned national oil companies as the backbone of their countries’ economies and the primary guarantors of energy security. He stressed the need for these companies to adapt to global transformations, particularly in energy transitions and renewable energy, while maintaining their role in supporting national economic sovereignty.
Regarding Sonatrach specifically, Hachichi highlighted its role in ensuring Algeria’s energy security, noting that it has become “a reliable and trusted supplier to the European market and a strategic partner for major energy companies,” according to the statement.
