Algeria has invited Azerbaijani oil and gas companies to participate in its international Algeria Bid Round 2026, which offers seven blocks for hydrocarbon exploration and development.

The invitation was discussed during a meeting between Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and Algeria’s Minister of State and Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mohamed Arkab, on the sidelines of the 28th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Moscow, according to Algeria’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons.

The two officials reviewed bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector and explored ways to expand partnerships between the countries.

Potential areas of cooperation include well services, field development, hydrocarbon transportation, oil refining, and petrochemicals. The discussions also focused on investment opportunities involving Algeria’s state-owned energy company Sonatrach and the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) across the hydrocarbon value chain.

The sides also highlighted the importance of sharing technical expertise and technological capabilities, as well as strengthening professional training and workforce development to improve productivity and operational efficiency across the industry.

The officials discussed plans to hold the first meeting of a Joint Working Group in Baku in November 2026 under a memorandum of understanding on oil and gas cooperation. A meeting of the Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation is also planned for the first half of 2027.

The talks covered developments in global hydrocarbon markets and potential threats to market stability and energy security. Both sides emphasized the importance of continued consultations and coordination within the OPEC+ framework and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum to support market balance and strengthen multilateral dialogue.

Algeria Bid Round 2026 is the country's second-ever tender for the development of hydrocarbon fields. The seven blocks on offer are located mainly in eastern and central Algerian sedimentary basins.

Six blocks are being offered under production-sharing agreements, while the seventh is available under a participation agreement.

The tender provides a potential entry point for Azerbaijani energy companies seeking to expand their international operations and explore new partnerships in North Africa.