Talks between Exxon Mobil Corp. and Algeria's national oil company, Sonatrach Spa, to develop shale gas were suspended temporarily amid political unrest in the country, Reuters reported March 20, citing unnamed sources.

The unrest centers around protests against the 20-year rule of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Exxon started talks with Sonatrach several months ago to develop a field in the southwestern Ahnet basin.