History of the Organization of the Energy Sector
In the aftermath of national independence (July 5, 1962), two ordinances were enacted to establish a regulatory framework for managing the sector:
- The Directorate of Energy and Fuels, whose organization and responsibilities were defined by Ordinance No. 62-029 of August 25, 1962 (Official Journal No. 10 of September 1, 1962).
- The Algerian Petroleum Bureau, created by Ordinance No. 62-030 of August 25, 1962 (Official Journal No. 10 of September 1, 1962).
Following this stage, the management and exploitation of the Saharan subsoil resources (energy and mines) were entrusted to an Algerian-French technical body responsible for developing the Saharan subsoil resources. The Algerian representatives on its board of directors were appointed by Decree No. 62-523 of September 8, 1962 (Official Journal No. 14 of September 14, 1962).
- This body was established and governed by the Evian Agreements (governmental agreements, notably the one dated August 28, 1962).
- Creation of the Electricity and Gas Management Committee by Ordinance No. 62-053 of September 21, 1962 (Official Journal No. 18 of September 23, 1962).
- In 1963, the first organization of the Ministry of Industrialization and Energy was established by Decree No. 63-267 of July 24, 1963. Its main missions included research in the energy field and the exploitation of mines.
- Creation of the Office for Industrial and Mining Studies, Implementation and Interventions by Decree No. 63-56 of February 11, 1963.
- Creation of Sonatrach by Decree No. 63-491 of December 31, 1963.
- Between 1964 and 1965, the Directorate of Energy and Fuels, which was under the Ministry of Industrialization and Energy, was transferred to the Ministry of Economy.
Between 1965 and 1977, it was again attached to the Ministry of Industry and Energy.
- Creation of SONAREM by Decree No. 67-79 of May 11, 1967.
- Creation of Sonelgaz by Ordinance No. 69-59 of July 28, 1969.
- Creation and organization of the Ministry of Industry and Energy by Decree No. 71-199 of July 15, 1971.
- In 1977, under Decree No. 77-217 of December 31, 1977 (Official Journal No. 04 of January 24, 1978), the structures were divided among the Ministry of Energy and Petrochemical Industries, the Ministry of Heavy Industry, and the Ministry of Light Industries.
- In 1984, under Decree No. 84-122 of May 19, 1984 (Official Journal No. 21), the responsibilities of the Minister of Energy and of Chemical and Petrochemical Industries were defined.
- In 1991, Presidential Decree No. 91-199 of June 18, 1991, appointing members of the government, led to the creation of the Ministry of Mines and Industry and the Ministry of Energy, the latter organized by Executive Decree No. 91-440 of November 16, 1991.
- In 1995, Presidential Decree No. 95-450 of December 31, 1995, appointing members of the government, resulted in the establishment of the Ministry of Industrial Restructuring and Participation and the Ministry of Energy and Mines, organized by Executive Decree No. 96-215 of June 15, 1996 (Official Journal No. 37).
- In 2007, Presidential Decree No. 07-172 of June 4, 2007, appointing members of the government, led to the creation of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, organized by Executive Decree No. 07-267 of September 9, 2007, as amended and supplemented by Executive Decree No. 10-238 of October 10, 2010.
- In 2015, Presidential Decree No. 15-125 of May 14, 2015, appointing members of the government, resulted in the creation of the Ministry of Energy, organized by Executive Decree No. 15-303 of December 2, 2015, as amended and supplemented by Executive Decree No. 18-67 of February 13, 2018, defining the organization of the central administration of the Ministry of Energy.
