Algeria nears start-up of Arzew MTBE plant

Sonatrach is about to take over its new MTBE plant at Arzew, which will let Algeria stop importing the petrol additive.

TSA reported the details from Safia Ourari Drissi, director of planning, studies and performance at Sonatrach, who spoke at a round table on the petrochemical industry on 31 October. The round table was organised by the Club Energy association.

“The construction and mechanical completion are finished. We are in the pre-commissioning phase.

Feed injection will start next month,” Ourari Drissi said.

She said MTBE would be made within three to four months.

The plant covers 11.4 hectares, about the size of 16 football pitches.

Ourari Drissi said Algeria imports 100,000 tonnes of MTBE a year. Prices reached peaks of $1,800 a tonne this year.

The contract was given in May 2022 to the Chinese group CNTIC/LPEC, for 76bn dinars (DZD), about $500m. The plant has a capacity of 200,000 tonnes a year.

Of this, 100,000 tonnes would supply Sonatrach's refineries, which use MTBE to make unleaded petrol. The other 100,000 tonnes are planned for export.

The plant would stop Algeria importing MTBE, a costly product, and reduce its imports of petrochemical products. The country would also become an exporter of MTBE, not only a buyer.

The plant was first due to start at the end of 2025.