History & Milestones

Built on Four Decades of Landmark Energy Transactions

From a private Saudi investment group founded in Jeddah to a participant in the Contract of the Century — Delta International Energy's history is a record of bold, early-mover decisions in the world's most significant emerging energy basins.

1978

Founding

Badr Bin Mohammed Al Aiban establishes Delta International Group Ltd. in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a strategic orientation firmly directed toward the global oil and gas sector.

1990

Strategic Pivot to Central Asia

Delta Oil Company identifies Central Asia as a region of exceptional oil and gas potential, well ahead of the international investment community.

1991

UNOCAL Alliance — Entry into Azerbaijan

Delta forms a strategic alliance with UNOCAL Corporation and together they acquire a circa 12% interest in the Azeri, Chirag, and Gunashli (ACG) fields.

1994

The "Contract of the Century"

Delta Oil Company and ten other international oil companies sign the Production Sharing Agreement with SOCAR for the joint development of the ACG fields. Estimated combined recoverable reserves: 4.6 billion barrels.

1997–1998

BTC Pipeline & AIOC Divestment

Delta participates in the early development of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline through Delta Hess. In 1998, Delta sells its AIOC interest to Amerada Hess Corporation.

1999

Centurion Energy Acquisition

Delta Oil acquires a 26% shareholding in Centurion Energy International Inc., a dual-listed Canadian E&P company. Centurion holds assets in Egypt, Tunisia, and offshore West Africa.

Early 2000s

Egypt — Nile Delta Production

Production from the El Manzala PSC reaches nearly 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The El Wastani Gas Processing Plant (200 MMCFD) is developed.

2007

Centurion Sale — C$1.25 Billion

Dana Gas PJSC launches a C$12.00 per share all-cash bid for Centurion Energy. Delta exits — achieving a return of approximately 20x the original acquisition price.

2007–2020

New Frontiers Strategy

Delta directs focus toward upstream opportunities in North Africa and downstream in North America. Singapore-based Asia-Pacific hub established (Delta Infrastructure Pte Ltd).

2023

Sonatrach Engagement, Algeria

Chairman Badr Al-Aiban personally leads a Delta Energy delegation to Algeria, meeting with the Minister of Energy and Mines.

Oct 2025

Illizi South PSA Signed

Midad Energy North Africa — a Delta International affiliate — signs a landmark 30-year Production Sharing Agreement with Sonatrach for the Illizi South block in Algeria.

May 2026

SECA Afghanistan Proposed

Saudi Delta Energy Company (SDEC) proposes a multi-billion USD, 30-year Strategic Energy Cooperation Program for Afghanistan, designed to transform the country into a Regional Gas Hub.

Milestone Summary

Four Decades at a Glance

Year	Milestone
1978	Founding
1990	Strategic Pivot to Central Asia
1991	UNOCAL Alliance — Entry into Azerbaijan
1994	The "Contract of the Century"
1997–1998	BTC Pipeline & AIOC Divestment
1999	Centurion Energy Acquisition
Early 2000s	Egypt — Nile Delta Production
2007	Centurion Sale — C$1.25 Billion
2007–2020	New Frontiers Strategy
2023	Sonatrach Engagement, Algeria
Oct 2025	Illizi South PSA Signed
May 2026	SECA Afghanistan Proposed