Hassi Messaoud
In 1963, the Algerian government decided to get involved in the construction planned by French oil companies of a new pipeline. The French refused the intrusion of the Algerians, the Algerians posed a series of administrative obstacles to thwart them and ended up deciding to build the pipe themselves. 'What are you going to do with this pipeline, since the oil is ours? You will have a pipe that will be of no use. They had fun telling us ''what are you going to do with your tube? and we had fun telling them ''we'll blow into it'', the decision to build this pipeline led to the creation of Sonatrach', recounts Belaïd Abdesselam in the book-interviews, Chance and History. On February 24, 1971, the nationalizations of French oil companies closed, with what the jargon of the time described as an 'act of vigor and vitality of the nation and the revolution', the cycle begun the day after independence. Algeria now exercised its sovereignty over all the country's wealth.
Hassi Messaoud from February 19 to 22, 2001. In Sonatrach's life bases, both ends of the hierarchical ladder of personnel, responsible for preparations for the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the nationalization of hydrocarbons, are in a frenzy. The big bosses of Sonatrach-Messaoud have the hollow features of the great days. The public relations managers are already exhausted, the support, security and logistical preparation professionals are busy and dreading the inevitable imponderables of the big days. Gardeners are planting new palm trees, laborers are carrying out the final touch-ups on the masonry, electricians are redoing the electrical installations of the VIP lounges, where copious banquets will be held, waiters and cooks are preparing for the orgiastic delirium of the big days. The union bosses meet in droves, in the lounges reserved for the chakhsiyate, February 24 is also a big day for the UGTA. And between the two ends of this long hierarchical ladder of Sonatrach, the bulk of the army of tankers, goes about its usual tasks in mechanical torpor.
Thirty years ago, Algeria struck hard by deciding to nationalize French oil companies. The 'second independence day' is today about to be buried under a 'bill on hydrocarbons' which is preparing to tear away from Sonatrach the historical and ideological humus of its creation. This is done in absolute calm, as if in a daze. On the invitation card to this year's festivities, it is written, without any irony: 'February 24, 71 - February 24, 2001... Thirty years. For a new beginning'.
For senior executives at Sonatrach-Messaoud, the bill is 'a very good thing' or is 'not yet final, they are only articles to be debated and enriched'. The first comment is from Mr. Heghoug, human resources manager, number two in the area. The second comment, more circumspect, that of Mr. Ziada, regional head, big boss of Sonatrach-Messaoud. And if the first concedes that the deaf, although mute, fears that this bill has generated, 'are primarily due to natural resistance to change, to the unknown', the second prefers to stick to the strict present, to the technological and cost reduction challenges that Sonatrach must meet. Involuntary or deliberate slip of the tongue, both continue to describe as 'partners' the foreign oil companies to whom this bill opens the possibility of competing with Sonatrach in the exploitation of Algerian subsoil, in conditions which are far from favoring our national company.
The excitement of that year was even more intense than those of the celebrations which preceded it. It is probably not only because Algeria has completed the round and high-sounding figure of thirty years of economic sovereignty. It is also perhaps because it is whispered everywhere that this anniversary will be enhanced by the presence of a very special guest: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Hassi Messaoud from February 19 to 22, 2001. In Sonatrach's life bases, both ends of the hierarchical ladder of personnel, responsible for preparations for the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the nationalization of hydrocarbons, are in a frenzy. The big bosses of Sonatrach-Messaoud have the hollow features of the great days. The public relations managers are already exhausted, the support, security and logistical preparation professionals are busy and dreading the inevitable imponderables of the big days. Gardeners are planting new palm trees, laborers are carrying out the final touch-ups on the masonry, electricians are redoing the electrical installations of the VIP lounges, where copious banquets will be held, waiters and cooks are preparing for the orgiastic delirium of the big days. The union bosses meet in droves, in the lounges reserved for the chakhsiyate, February 24 is also a big day for the UGTA. And between the two ends of this long hierarchical ladder of Sonatrach, the bulk of the army of tankers, goes about its usual tasks in mechanical torpor.
Thirty years ago, Algeria struck hard by deciding to nationalize French oil companies. The 'second independence day' is today about to be buried under a 'bill on hydrocarbons' which is preparing to tear away from Sonatrach the historical and ideological humus of its creation. This is done in absolute calm, as if in a daze. On the invitation card to this year's festivities, it is written, without any irony: 'February 24, 71 - February 24, 2001... Thirty years. For a new beginning'.
For senior executives at Sonatrach-Messaoud, the bill is 'a very good thing' or is 'not yet final, they are only articles to be debated and enriched'. The first comment is from Mr. Heghoug, human resources manager, number two in the area. The second comment, more circumspect, that of Mr. Ziada, regional head, big boss of Sonatrach-Messaoud. And if the first concedes that the deaf, although mute, fears that this bill has generated, 'are primarily due to natural resistance to change, to the unknown', the second prefers to stick to the strict present, to the technological and cost reduction challenges that Sonatrach must meet. Involuntary or deliberate slip of the tongue, both continue to describe as 'partners' the foreign oil companies to whom this bill opens the possibility of competing with Sonatrach in the exploitation of Algerian subsoil, in conditions which are far from favoring our national company.
The excitement of that year was even more intense than those of the celebrations which preceded it. It is probably not only because Algeria has completed the round and high-sounding figure of thirty years of economic sovereignty. It is also perhaps because it is whispered everywhere that this anniversary will be enhanced by the presence of a very special guest: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.