Oran, June 2, 2025
Mr. Rachid HACHICHI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SONATRACH Group, accompanied by a Delegation of Senior Executives, conducted a working and inspection visit to Arzew, Industrial zone in Oran.
He began his visit program by reviewing the progress of the Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) production complex — an additive used in the manufacture of unleaded gasoline at refineries.
The project has reached a 67% completion rate and is expected to be commissioned by the end of the year, with an annual production capacity of 200,000 tons of this additive.
The project, which covers an area of 11.4 hectares in the Arzew industrial zone, is one of the strategic projects in the Group’s petrochemicals development program. Its completion will allow SONATRACH’s refineries to meet their own MTBE needs, securing self-sufficiency, reducing import and opening export prospects.
The CEO, visited GL1Z, complex control room, specialized in liquefaction and separation, where he was briefed on the operation of the main heat exchanger of Train N°1. This mechanical device is part of the process replacement of four main heat exchangers, aimed at (LNG) production capacity at Arzew industrial zone.
Mr. HACHICHI visited GL2Z LNG complex, inspecting work progress on the seawater pumping station, currently undergoing rehabilitation. This operation, being carried out for the first time, will improve transformer cooling, enable distilled water production and expand the fire-fighting network capacity.
The visit continued at LNG production unit No. 5, currently undergoing a scheduled 45-day maintenance operation to preserve its production capacity. While at GL2Z complex, the CEO was briefed on the operation of advanced optical cameras used to detect methane leaks, which are then repaired using the LDAR (Leak Detection and Repair) method — a practice with significant environmental and economic benefits.
The visit rounded off at GP1Z complex, four new marine loading arms were installed at Dock M6. These arms are now operational for (LPG) transportation, while four other arms on Dock D1 are awaiting replacement. The CEO’s visit, marks his ongoing field program, aimed at monitoring the progress of SONATRACH’s strategic projects. These projects are designed to maintain, expand, and modernize the Company’s production infrastructure. |
