Dr. Mourad Adjal, Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, accompanied the Prime Minister, Mr. Seifi Ghrieb, today, Tuesday, 24 February, on a working and inspection visit to the Wilaya of Oran, to oversee the ceremonies marking the seventieth (70th) anniversary of the establishment of the General Union of Algerian Workers and the fifty-fifth (55th) anniversary of the nationalization of hydrocarbons.

Mandated by the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Prime Minister, Mr. Seifi Ghrieb, carried out, on Tuesday, 24 February, a working and inspection visit to the Wilaya of Oran to oversee the commemoration of the seventieth (70th) anniversary of the founding of the General Union of Algerian Workers and the fifty-fifth (55th) anniversary of the nationalization of hydrocarbons.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister read the message of the President of the Republic marking this dual anniversary. The President affirmed that Algerians will continue to remember with pride the challenge undertaken by engineers, technicians, and skilled workers, using the means available to them, to ensure continuity of production in the energy sector following the declaration of sovereignty over national resources on 24 February 1971.

The President of the Republic commended the efforts of the sector’s workforce and executives, which have enabled Algeria to double its commercial energy production. Algeria is now ranked as the seventh-largest exporter of gas worldwide and the third-largest supplier to the European market, and it holds the third-largest oil reserves in Africa. He also highlighted the sector’s ability to implement a strategy for renewing oil and gas reserves and developing downstream industrial projects.

In this context, the President emphasized that the projects commissioned in recent years, those currently under development, and those scheduled for imminent launch constitute clear evidence of confidence in the path pursued by Algeria.

He also highlighted the strong public reception observed during the inauguration of the western mining railway line, which, alongside other structuring projects of both local and national scope, reflects that current national policies are grounded in feasibility, realism, and sound sovereign decision-making.

He added that this approach reflects Algeria’s renewed doctrine, rooted in the November reference and the legacy of the liberation revolution, characterized by a high level of pragmatism in building bridges of cooperation and partnership with countries across all continents, based on mutual interests and benefits.

In conclusion, the President renewed his greetings to all Algerian workers, as well as to all managers, executives, and employees of the hydrocarbons sector, who continue the path set by their predecessors following the nationalization decision.

As part of the visit program, the Prime Minister inspected several energy-related projects in the Arzew industrial zone, where he reviewed the progress of strategic industrial projects aimed at strengthening the national production base and reinforcing industrial capacities in the energy sector. He received a presentation from Sonatrach officials on the project to construct a Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) production unit, followed by a field visit during which he examined the progress of works and inspected the control room.

This project is considered one of the strategic initiatives under Algeria’s petrochemical industry development program, as it will contribute to meeting the needs of national refineries for this substance used in the production of unleaded gasoline.

In the same context, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of a Catalytic Reforming Unit for heavy naphtha (CCR) at the Arzew refinery, which is expected to increase gasoline production capacity and strengthen national refining capabilities.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the new headquarters of the regional directorate of the industrial zone under Sonatrach’s liquefaction and gas separation activity, in a move aimed at improving governance and enhancing administrative management efficiency in the area.

During the field visit, the Prime Minister, Mr. Seifi Ghrieb, engaged with workers, listened to their explanations and concerns, and discussed with them ways to advance and develop the energy sector, particularly in the field of renewable energy. He also reaffirmed the strategic importance attached by the President of the Republic to this vital sector, as a fundamental pillar for strengthening national development and ensuring energy security.

(Source: Official page of the Prime Minister’s Office)