(Ecofin Agency) - In Algeria, state-owned energy company, Sonatrach, has granted China Petroleum Engineering Construction (CPECC) a contract worth $410 million to renovate the Sidi R'cine oil refinery which is close to the capital Algiers.

Under the agreement, the Chinese construction company will perform restoration works at the refinery for 21 months. Once rehabilitated, the refinery will assist in boosting the plant’s refining capacities by 35%, Reuters reports.

Algeria has reported renovation work at its refineries and intends to construct five more in order to boost by 50 percent in the next five years. The OPEC member currently produces 30 million tonnes of oil refined products per year.

Anita Fatunji