Hydrocarbons Minister Inspects New Hassi Messaoud Refinery Project, Stresses Adherence to Completion Deadlines

Minister of State and Minister of Hydrocarbons Mohamed Arkab carried out a working and inspection visit today, Tuesday, to production sites in the Hassi Messaoud area, during which he inspected the new oil refinery project (RHM3) in the Hawd El Hamra zone. He headed a delegation that included Sonatrach Chairman and CEO Noureddine Daoudi, officials from the Ministry and the group, and representatives of the national and foreign companies involved in the project.
The visit follows the directives of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, aimed at strengthening national capacities in hydrocarbon production and refining, adding value to oil resources locally, and developing value-added petroleum products, in order to meet national needs, strengthen energy security, and broaden export prospects.
The minister began his visit at the project site, where he toured the refinery units and equipment installation areas, reviewed the progress of the works, and listened to technical briefings on the stages of construction and its engineering and operational aspects.
The minister also received a presentation on the production sites in the region and the ongoing and planned projects to boost their capacities. According to the figures presented, Sonatrach achieved 18 new hydrocarbon discoveries through its own efforts so far in 2026, while primary production rose to about 128 million tonnes of oil equivalent by the end of September 2026.
Under its medium-term development program, the sector aims to raise primary production to 201 million tonnes of oil equivalent by 2030 and to increase the hydrocarbon conversion rate to more than 50% of primary production, compared with about 30% currently.
The minister then chaired an extended coordination meeting, during which he heard progress reports from Sonatrach and the two companies responsible for the construction: Spain's Técnicas Reunidas and China's Sinopec. Representatives of the participating national companies also attended: the National Civil Engineering and Construction Company (GCB), the Algerian Company for Industrial Projects Implementation (SARPI), the National Company for Major Petroleum Works (ENGTP), and Cosider Canalisation.
The meeting was devoted to assessing the project's status, reviewing its technical, organizational, and logistical aspects, and strengthening coordination among the parties involved. The minister stressed the need to step up efforts, reinforce monitoring mechanisms, and provide the necessary resources, so as to ensure the project is completed according to the contractual schedule and that the deadlines for its entry into service are met.
The refinery has a design capacity of five million tonnes per year of crude oil processing and is among the most prominent strategic projects aimed at strengthening Algeria's refining and conversion capacities. It is expected to help meet growing demand for diesel and gasoline, reduce imports of refined products, and provide surpluses for export.
Its location near the Hassi Messaoud oil fields will improve supply and distribution efficiency, lower the cost of transporting products to the southern provinces, and enhance geographic balance in distribution. The refinery will also use advanced refining and deep-conversion technologies, ensuring that products meet international standards, improving environmental performance, and reducing emissions.
At the close of the visit, the minister stressed the project's strategic importance, calling for continued regular field follow-up and stronger coordination between Sonatrach and its partners, and for mobilizing the necessary human, technical, and logistical resources, while adhering to the highest standards of quality, industrial safety, and environmental requirements, so that the facility enters service within the set deadlines.

Omar Tadrist