Identifying policy and legal issues for shale gas development in Algeria: A SWOT analysis

In the face of declining natural gas production, depleting foreign revenue and the local and international demand for natural gas, Algeria seeks to develop its substantial shale gas potential to avoid economic decline. This paper uses a SWOT analysis method to identify key policy and legal issues for shale gas development in Algeria. It broadly investigates the internal strengths (S) and weaknesses (W) and external opportunities (O) and threats (T) facing Algeria's shale gas development. Qualitative data from policies, laws, and reports, and literature reviews from books and journal articles are utilised in examining Algeria's external and internal environment concerning the development of its shale gas. Based on the analysis, this paper identifies alternative strategies and responses for the development of shale gas resource in Algeria. Thus, it is necessary for providing the Algerian government and other stakeholders with the relevant information to identify which course of action it could take with reference to developing the country's shale gas. It further provides researchers with a foundational understanding of the broad context surrounding development so that future research can also assess shale gas development in Algeria.