INTERNATIONAL

Algeria Opens Oil Reserves: The Algerian parliament passed laws allowing foreign firms, until now banned from sharing output at existing fields, to take up to 49% in known and future oil, gas and mineral reserves in the country. The decision to open Algeria’s oil, gas and mineral wealth to foreign exploitation and expertise should bring the country welcome hard cash and better oil production, diplomats and industry experts said. “Just about every big oil company in the world is interested,” one industry expert said. The state oil and gas giant Sonatrach will keep a minimum of 51%. Algeria forecast earnings from its sweet, or low-sulfur, oil and its gas next year at $11.45 billion. Last year, its mines produced $45 million in exports, including iron ore, zinc, phosphates and lead.