Maghreb As Critical Area For The Oil And Gas Facilities In Security Context: Algeria Case Study

The political and economic situation in the Maghreb region after the 2011 revolts highlighted a widespread sense of insecurity and social unrest, which soon was sided and boosted by civil conflicts and the presence of several terrorist groups linked to international Islamic jihadism. Some of the favorite targets of these well trained and armed militias were the industrial oil facilities. The targeting of industrial facilities in rentier states countries such as Libya and Algeria reshaped the concept of security and shed a somber light on the future of oil refineries and extracting industries in the area. The Algerian case is particularly interesting, because the attack to the gas plant of In Amenas (2013) showed the serious effects of a terrorist attack takes into account not only domestic situation, but also a regional approach. The present study offers a reflection on the geopolitical context of the Maghreb area and provides indications to support interdisciplinary security risk assessment studies dedicated to process facilities.