The Algerian Ministry of Industry and Energy founded the Institut Algérien du Pétrole (IAP) to train a qualified workforce for the growing energy sector. Later, Sonatrach, Algeria's national oil company, absorbed the IAP. In 2005, Sonatrach invited selected international companies operating in Algeria to participate in the IAP by contributing to its programmes, and Statoil Algeria was the only company that accepted the invitation. That decision was based on the business need for a qualified local workforce and in line with Statoil's ethos of sharing knowledge and competence rooted in Norway's own development experience.

StatoilHydro's need for a qualified workforce is addressed by facilitation of education and job creation through participation in IAP. Training the workforce locally at the IAP is more sustainable than sending employees to Norway or elsewhere for training, as it significantly reduces the risk of emigration by skilled workers. The training provided by IAP is not exclusive to StatoilHydro employees and it thus serves Algeria's greater need for skilled labour.

We committed to investing USD 2 million in the share capital of IAP, to contributing equipment and to sharing know-how. So far, our involvement has cost USD 5-7 million. In addition to our financial commitment, we have established and provided training through IAP's Safe Behaviour Programme and the advanced drilling programme for supervisors. 

Algeria ranks number 100 on the United Nations Human Development Index; it has a literacy rate of 76.6% and an official unemployment rate of 15.3%.