Sonatrach will enter exporting phase soon

Algeria’s energy minister Nourredine Bouterfa Sunday said Sonatrach will enter a new phase through a set of big projects. They aim at reducing energy products importing and raising productive capacities.

Bouterfa said Tiguentourine complex will enter operation phase by 100 percent within almost a month. The third unit which was damaged by a terror attack is operating by 10 percent and is under maintenance. 

“Oil base facilities in Skikda are working well but the oil port needs expansion to reinforce exporting capacities,” he said in a working visit to the province.

He added that Algeria imports about 1.5 million tons of petrochemical products, saying it is causes high costs and new complexes should be set up.

Sonatrach’s deputy cEO Akli Remini said the group plans to create four refining complexes in Tiaret, Arzew, Hassi Messaoud and Biskra. This is meant to raise production capacity and stop importing energy products by 2019.