Hassi Messaoud - The Oil-Rich Center of Saharan-Algeria
Hassi Messaoud is not only a town but also a watering hole and a major oilfield in the middle of east Algeria. While it has only really gained significance in more recent years due to the large oil reservoirs in the area, the town has been around for many, many years.
In the Arab language "Hassi Messaoud" means "blessed well". It is easy to understand why a simple watering spot could gain such a favorable name when one considers the dry sandy deserts that surround it. Hassi Messaoud probably started life as a small village that sprang up around this important watering hole. As travelers and traders made their way across the hot and barren Sahara desert they would need, not only a place to water their animals and quench their thirsts, but a place where they could replenish their supplies, enjoy good company and rest their heads for the night. Hassi Messaoud became that place and, as a result, numerous traders passed through on a regular basis. What was first a watering hole and then a settlement soon became a small town.
However life in the town changed quite dramatically in 1956 when oil was discovered here. By 1979, the oil refining industry had expanded dramatically and a refinery was built in the town. Not much later, half of the country's total oil production came from this one oil reservoir. The refinery at Hassi Messaoud now pipes oil through a large pipeline network to Skikda, Algiers, Bejaia and Arzew.
User Comments & Reviews
2010-01-27 14:02:16
there will be the Hassi Messaoud Industries trade fare soon, is it worth visiting it ?
2010-01-24 11:41:21
Hi, Guys i am visiting frequently to Hassi Messaoud but not able to get any good hotel & restaurant to stay for a week. Please help me & provide the detail. Thanks every body
2010-01-23 23:34:11
to aboualla, if you search more you will find REDMED Hôtel, Compotel Hotel or alpha catering, high services ..and otrhers. mr kumara, about the food, i don't think that you will find the kind of your specialities, but there are somme asians here in Hassi Messaoud and you can find them by emails or phone. and if you don't, i can help you! Mr Baghdad bey Ahmed, all the Algeriens peapole like to have a relations with the others and since 1996 i think that you know that we like Irakien eapole. Mr Radwa, it's time to visite Hassi M industry exebition.
2010-01-19 21:38:52
Baghdad, I can't find any accomodation fi Hassi, Do you know a place where to stay for week please?
2009-11-23 17:26:52
Hi Guys I live in canada now but I am tryingto relocate myself around this town.hassi masssoud apprecaite if someone can give some tips of living there.Are there any asian food there or any malaysian comapnies working there
2009-11-13 16:39:04
I LIVES IH HASSI MASSAOUD SINCE 1996 , AND I HOPE TO CREATE A RELATIONS WIH ANY ONE WHO LIVES NOW HERE .
2009-10-17 08:57:37
very useful article, i hardly knew anything about Hassi Messaoud, and it gave me a clear vision on this town specially concerning the oilfield
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