Morteza Shahmirzai made the statement on Saturday, during a press
conference on the final day of the twenty-eighth International Oil, Gas,
Refining, and Petrochemical Exhibition, congratulating the start of the
"Decade of Dignity."
Shahmirzai stated that the past year was a proud one for the
petrochemical industry, and the NPC has initiated efforts towards realizing
this year's slogan in collaboration with holding companies and petrochemical
companies since the beginning of the year.
The CEO of the NPC introduced investment in completing the value chain
as a key strategy and added, "If we aim to have a dynamic, sustainable,
and forward-looking industry at the global level, we must focus on completing
the value chain and expedite the turnaround time for major maintenance of
petrochemical complexes and complete unfinished projects to increase
production."
He further stated, "This year, the industry's direction will be
focused on production growth," and emphasized that industry leaders
discussed strategies to achieve this year's slogan in a meeting held on April
9th with CEOs of holding companies, petrochemical complexes, and projects.
Sustainable Production on a Global Scale
Shahmirzai emphasized the priority of feedstock supply for the
industry and highlighted the importance of stable and readily available
feedstock for petrochemical complexes. He noted that last year, some
petrochemical plants operated up to 20% above their capacity, despite the
stable production of natural gas.
He continued, "15 petrochemical projects are planned for
operation in the year 1403, and the number of Iranian petrochemical complexes
will reach 80, with the industry's capacity exceeding 100 million tons by the
end of this year."
Regarding energy consumption management, Shahmirzai stated,
"Given the excellent gas production in the country, energy consumption
management is of paramount importance and requires special attention."
The CEO of the NPC emphasized investment in completing the value chain
in the petrochemical industry, particularly in the upstream oil industry and
gas storage. He mentioned several investment agreements between petrochemical
companies for the development of oil and gas fields with this aim, signed
several months ago.
Formulating a 50-Year Vision for the Petrochemical Industry
The CEO highlighted the indigenous production of catalysts used in the
oil industry, especially the petrochemical industry, as a strategic priority
pursued by the NPC. He stated that this strategic approach, focused on the
Petrochemical Research and Technology Company, aims to achieve self-sufficiency
in catalyst supply by the end of the thirteenth government term.
Regarding the memorandum of understanding signed with the CEO of IDRO
to facilitate the development of the petrochemical industry in energy-rich
regions such as Parsian and Lamerd, Shahmirzai stated that these regions are
hosting several projects aimed at completing the value chain and will witness
the emergence of a new civilization.
Shahmirzai added, "In the Parsian region, 21 projects are
underway to complete the methanol value chain, which will ignite growth and
prosperity in this region."
The Deputy Minister of Petroleum emphasized that formulating a 50-year
vision for the petrochemical industry is a significant step towards completing
the value chain in the petrochemical value-added industry. He stressed that
with the collaboration of research centers, startups, and various industry
stakeholders, the industry is moving towards balanced development.
He added, "Completing the value chain in the petrochemical
industry is always emphasized, and with the planning undertaken, we are moving
towards this goal in collaboration with holding companies and petrochemical
companies."
Shahmirzai announced the introduction of new investment packages and
methods in the petrochemical industry in the near future and stated, "It
is necessary for holding companies to move in tandem in this direction."
He continued, "Indigenization of technical knowledge is one of
the challenges of the petrochemical industry, and significant efforts are being
made in this regard."
The Deputy Minister of Oil stressed that the development of liquid
feedstock petrochemical complexes is on the agenda of the NPC, and negotiations
have been conducted with refineries to ensure sufficient liquid feedstock
supply to petrochemical complexes.
Regarding the plan to produce gasoline from methanol, he said, "I
believe that the value added from products produced from the end of the
methanol chain is more economical, but the nearest solution to prevent crude
sales and methanol exports and prevent gasoline imbalance in the country is the
implementation of MTG projects."
The CEO of the NPC stated that a 30% discount on feedstock has been
considered for implementing MTG projects, and so far, five investors who are
themselves methanol producers have expressed readiness to implement these
projects.