Arzew Refinery to Reach 1.2 Million Tons Annual Gasoline

Sonatrach is targeting an increase in the annual gasoline production capacity at its Arzew refinery from 550,000 tons to 1.2 million tons. This objective will be achieved through the construction of a new hydrogen treatment and catalytic reforming unit. The President and CEO of Sonatrach, Noureddine Daoudi, disclosed this information in the group's 2025 annual report, highlighting a significant step in national energy development. The contract for the new unit, spanning five hectares, was signed with the Chinese company Sinopec Guangzhou Engineering on November 17, 2025.

The new unit is designed to process 780,000 tons of heavy naphtha annually, which will more than double the refinery's gasoline output. The project has a specified completion period of 30 months from the contract signing. This initiative aims to strengthen the national supply of refined petroleum products and is specifically directed at meeting the needs of the western and southwestern provinces of Algeria.

This expansion project aligns with the increasing demand for energy within the local market, as national fuel sales reached 76.1 million tons of oil equivalent in 2025, marking a 6% increase compared to the previous year. The Arzew refinery, known as RA1Z, is situated in the industrial zone of Arzew in Oran province. It commenced operations in 1973 and underwent rehabilitation in 2013, boasting a refining capacity of 3.75 million tons annually. The refinery produces various petroleum derivatives, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas, lubricants, and bitumen, with its proximity to Arzew port facilitating transport and export activities.