Algerian government-owned Sonatrach Oil and Gas Company seeks to complete all works relating to Algiers refinery development within two months' time at an estimated cost of USD 1 billion, an official source at the petroleum refinery plant told Zawya.
"Works targeting the maintenance and revamp of the refinery are more than 80% complete to date, and are expected to be concluded before the end of the first half of 2013," said Saad Shetwy, refinery manager. After the revamp, the new unit is anticipated to produce 3.6 million tons per year - as of June 2013 - compared to 2.7 million tons previously. The project had been awarded to French company Technip.
The plant processes fuel oil, gas, butane, propane, benzene, aviation fuel and nephtol; and is also expected to produce unleaded benzene.
Shetwy added that "Work has been underway for the past 38 months, and includes maintenance operations, in addition to providing new technologies and machinery." The government of Algeria had invested a total of USD 15.8 billion in 2012 for the development of oil production facilities across the country.
"Sonatrach intends to inaugurate two new gas liquefaction units at Arzio and Skikda, with the latter's initiation expected within days; whereas the Arzio unit is expected to be delivered by the first half of 2013. The Algerian government invested the amount of USD 7 billion for these two units," said Shetwy.
According to Abdul Rahman Mabtool, oil expert and former official at Sonatrach, "Algeria needs to strive towards increasing the number of petroleum refineries and gas liquefaction plants in the country in order to accommodate rising demand levels. It is anticipated that the demand for these products will increase during the next few years; taking into consideration that Algeria is regarded as Europe's largest oil and gas supplier." Mabtool also added that the Algiers petroleum refinery will raise the production output by at least half a million tons annually, which will reflect positively on this sector.
© Zawya 2013
