On August 16, 2026, news came from the heart of the Sahara Desert. Shaanxi Huajian Engineering Co., Ltd. has successfully signed a contract for the mechanical and electrical installation project of the Hasse Messaoud Refinery in Algeria, undertaking the PK4 package continuous reforming unit and supporting utility system in the core equipment area. This refinery, designed with an annual processing capacity of about 5 million tons, is led by the Algerian National Oil Company and is a key project to solve the structural contradiction between the country's emphasis on crude oil exports and dependence on imported refined oil products. From civil engineering to steel structures, from core public areas to installation of continuous restructuring units, multiple Chinese companies are forming a clustered participation pattern deep in the Sahara Desert.

Core Unit of 5 Million Tons Refinery Project

The Hasse Messaoud Refinery Project is located in the core oil and gas producing region of Ouargra Province in Algeria, with a designed annual processing capacity of approximately 5 million tons. The PK4 package continuous reforming unit undertaken by Shaanxi Huajian has a designed processing capacity of 1.35 million tons per year, which is the core link for refineries to achieve deep processing of oil products and produce high-grade clean gasoline. The project construction scope covers multiple process and utility units such as natural gas system, naphtha hydroprocessing system, continuous catalytic reforming system, fuel system, fuel gas system, factory and instrument air system, nitrogen system, condensate water treatment system, etc. After the completion of the project, it will significantly increase the local refined oil production capacity and promote the extension of Algeria's petroleum industry from extraction to refining.

Multiple enterprise clusters participate in the construction

The signing of contracts by Shaanxi Huajian is not an isolated case, as multiple Chinese engineering companies have formed a cluster based participation pattern in the Hassimazaud project. China Machinery Construction has signed a contract for the installation and construction general contracting project of this project, undertaking two sections of the core public area PKG2 and PKG5, covering multiple process units such as the power plant unit, water supply and treatment unit, and natural gas collection unit of the entire plant. China Electric Power Construction Corporation's subsidiary, Hydroelectric Eighth Engineering Bureau, has formed a joint venture with Electric Power Construction Municipal Government to undertake the civil engineering subcontracting of PKG1, PKG4, and PKG5 sections. The construction content includes 38 functional buildings, underground pipelines, equipment foundations, etc., with a total construction area of approximately 36400 square meters and a total construction period of 837 days. The EPC general contractor of the project is a joint venture formed by TR Company of Spain and Sinopec Guangzhou Engineering Company. From civil engineering to steel structure to core device installation, Chinese enterprises have formed a systematic cooperation pattern in Hassimazaud. Keywords: Infrastructure News Network, International Cooperation, Refinery

Hard power of desert hinterland engineering

The project is located in the heart of the Sahara Desert, where high temperatures, sandstorms, water shortages, and long-distance supply are all extreme tests for construction organization. Shaanxi Huajian relies on years of experience in petrochemical engineering construction, adheres to high starting point planning, high standard promotion, and high-quality performance to ensure the safe and efficient progress of projects. Algeria is one of the largest oil producing countries in Africa, but its refining capacity has long been lagging behind. From civil engineering to core equipment installation, bidding for various sub sectors of refining and chemical engineering is being intensively released, which is a clear structural window for Chinese engineering enterprises engaged in petrochemical equipment, pipeline installation, and electrical instrumentation. In extreme environments, performance credit often has more long-term value than quotation. Shaanxi Huajian's signing of this contract further consolidates the position of Chinese engineering enterprises in the North African refining market.Editor/Gao Xue