PoliticsExxonMobil in talks to invest in North Africa oil and gas powerhouseUS supermajor's head of exploration met Minister of Energy and head of state oil companyInvestment talks: Mohamed Arkab, Algeria's Minister of Energy (centre) and Rachid Hachichi, head of state oil company Sonatrach (right) meet ExxonMobil executive John Ardell in Algiers.Photo: ALGERIA MINISTRY OF ENERGY & MINESIain EsauAfrica CorrespondentLondon