Minister Arkab reviews Hassi‑Messaoud sites as Sonatrach targets production boost
Mohamed Arkab, Algeria's Minister of Hydrocarbons, inspected the Hassi‑Messaoud sites on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, leading a delegation that included Sonatrach CEO Noureddine Daoudi, Hydrocarbons regulator Amine Remini and representatives of national and foreign companies.
During the visit Arkab chaired an expanded coordination meeting with Sonatrach, Spanish firm Técnicas Reunidas, Chinese company Sinopec and Algerian firms GCB, SARPI, ENGTP and Cosider Canalization, where participants assessed project progress and technical, organizational and logistical aspects.
Arkab noted that Sonatrach recorded 18 new hydrocarbon discoveries in 2026 and that primary hydrocarbon production had reached 128 million tonnes of oil equivalent (TEP) by the end of September 2026. He reiterated the company's aim to raise primary production to 201 million TEP by 2030.
He highlighted the new Hassi‑Messaoud refinery (RHM3), which has a nominal capacity of 5 million tonnes per year, and said it is expected to enter its initial production phase by the end of 2027 and to have all facilities completed by 2033. Arkab stressed the refinery's strategic location near the Hassi‑Messaoud fields, which will reduce transport costs to southern wilayas.
Arkab also emphasized the goal of increasing the hydrocarbon conversion rate to above 50 % from the current roughly 30 %, and affirmed the continued pursuit of strategic projects, capacity strengthening and transformation of the industry.
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