Algeria sees petchems progress
A contract award marks a rare sign of movement on Algeria’s stalled downstream development plans
The Step joint venture between Algeria’s state-owned oil-and-gas firm Sonatrach and Total chose in September US congolmerate Honeywell as technology supplier for a propane dehydrogenation and polypropylene (PDH-PP) plant planned at the Arzew downstream hub in western Algeria. Honeywell’s selection by Step—51pc owned by Sonatrach with Total holding the remaining 49pc—came as no surprise, given the firm’s extensive local and regional experience. But the award was a welcome sign that the project is moving beyond the drawing board. The partners have discussed a petrochemicals venture for more than a decade, while Algeria’s wider plans for downstream expansion over the same period have progresse
Also in this section
12 December 2025
The federal government is working with Alberta to improve the country’s access to Asian markets and reduce dependence on the US, but there are challenges to their plans
12 December 2025
The latest edition of our annual Outlook publication, titled 'The shape of energy to come: Creating unique pathways and managing shifting alliances', is available now
11 December 2025
The removal of the ban on oil and gas exploration and an overhaul of the system sends all the right messages for energy security, affordability and sustainability
10 December 2025
The economic and environmental cost of the seven-year exploration ban will be felt long after its removal






