Algerian Petroleum Institute Crowned Best Energy Research Institution Worldwide by OPEC

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

At the heart of global energy innovation, Algeria’s IAP wins top OPEC award, affirming its scientific leadership and strategic impact on international energy policy.

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Algiers, Algeria– Friday, July 11, 2025 |  In a major international recognition of Algeria’s scientific and strategic contribution to the global energy landscape, the Algerian Petroleum Institute (IAP)—a subsidiary of the national oil giant Sonatrach—was awarded the title of “Best Energy Research Institute” for the year 2025 by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The award was presented during the 9th OPEC International Seminar, held on July 9–10 in Vienna, Austria, at the Vienna City Hall. The Secretary General of OPEC, Haitham Al Ghais, personally handed the trophy to Mr. Kannon Abdelkader, Director of the IAP, commending the institute’s unparalleled excellence in academic training, scientific research, and strategic capacity building in the energy sector.

Al Ghais emphasized the vital role played by the IAP in training generations of energy experts, many of whom have gone on to occupy ministerial and leadership roles in their respective countries. He praised the institute as a cornerstone of technical and intellectual advancement in the petroleum industry, contributing meaningfully to shaping national and regional energy policies.

A Prestigious Global Distinction

The OPEC award, granted biennially, recognizes research institutions that have had a transformative impact on the global energy sector through high-caliber scientific output, training excellence, and their influence on policymaking. This year, the IAP prevailed over a pool of elite institutions from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, solidifying its stature as a global reference in oil and gas education.

Founded on November 29, 1965, the IAP has long served as a technological and academic nucleus for the energy sector in Algeria and beyond. Beyond equipping Sonatrach’s workforce with world-class expertise, it also trains high-level professionals from other hydrocarbon-producing nations, reinforcing Algeria’s soft power and regional influence.

This  distinction not only enhances Algeria’s reputation on the international stage but also demonstrates the country’s capacity to generate cutting-edge knowledge, foster innovation, and actively contribute to the future of global energy systems.

In addition to the IAP’s honor, OPEC’s awards ceremony also recognized three leading energy research initiatives and presented a special prize for specialized energy journalism, reaffirming the importance of a holistic synergy between science, communication, and policy in navigating the complexities of the global energy transition.