Sonatrach and the U.S.-based Occidental Petroleum held talks in Houston on October 16, 2026, aimed at deepening their collaboration in the oil and gas sector, specifically focusing on the Berkine basin. Sonatrach CEO Nourredine Daoudi and Occidental CEO Richard Jackson reviewed opportunities for long-term technical cooperation. The discussions covered the development of non-conventional resources, enhanced oil recovery techniques, and the application of non-metallic piping technologies. This meeting was part of a broader working visit to the United States. The partnership is based on a long-standing cooperation, significantly bolstered by a 2022 contract regarding perimeters 404 and 208, and a memorandum of understanding signed in October 2024 concerning exploration and evaluation activities in Central Berkine.