The militant Islamist attack on the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria reminded the international community of North Africa’s political fragility and its tenuous security. Before the attack, most oil and gas companies did not consider Algeria as a particularly attractive investment destination. But the January 2013 incident will have undoubtedly worsened their perception of risk and increased the cost of doing any business in the country.
THE attack by militant Islamists on the gas plant in In Amenas, southern Algeria, shocked the world. And though the incident was short-lived, its implications will be felt for many years to come, especially within the energy sector.