Petchem Export Revenue to Grow 46%

Iran's petrochemical exports significantly
contribute to non-oil economy.
Statistics show that after crude oil, the
petrochemical sector remains a key source of
income in Iran. The share of petrochemical
exports from Iran's non-oil products has
reached 33%. The figure is expected to
reach 35% soon. The CEO of Iran's National
Petrochemical Company (NPC), Behzad
Mohammadi, told at the Iran Oil Show that
after the inauguration of 18 petrochemical
projects by 2021, Iran's revenue from
petrochemical exports will grow 46% to $25
billion. He said the petrochemical industry
was a key economic sector, adding that
revenues from this sector were very important
for Iran. Mohammadi said that oil and gas
refineries and LNG projects were supplying
about 25.3 million tonnes of feedstock, twothirds
of which was gas feedstock and onethird
liquid feedstock. He said a total of 55
petrochemical plants were operational in Iran,
receiving 25.3 million tonnes of feedstock.
He added that there were two petrochemical
hubs in Iran, one in Mahshahr and one in
Assaluyeh. Mohammadi said Assaluyeh was
home to 16 petrochemical plants, Mahshahr
had 20 while 19 petrochemical plants were
located in other parts of the country

18 Petchem Groups
Mohammadi said: "We are producing 18
groups of polymer products. There are about
300 grades of polymer products and 44 tonnes
of chemicals in this industry."
He said Iran had 31 million tonnes of
petrochemicals on sale adding: "Of this 31
million tonnes of petrochemicals, 22.5 million
tonnes are exported to various countries and
8.5 million tonnes supplied domestically, and
4.7 million tonnes traded on the exchange."
"We earn $17.1 billion from selling 31 million
tonnes of petrochemicals, $12.1 billion of
which is from exports and $5 billion from the
products traded on the exchange," he said.
30 Destinations
The NPC chief said Iran's petrochemical
products were destined to 30 nations
in Europe and Asia. "There are several
hundred customers from across the globe,"
he added. Mohammadi said a low-density
polyethylene production plant would come
online in Lorestan Province in the current
calendar year, adding that Iran would be
producing 12 methanol brands by 2025.
He said that in addition to the technical
knowhow for catalyst production, Iran had to
look for technical savvy of special process.
"The NPC will be preset in the MTP plant
to hedge investment risks because the
polypropylene produced from methanol
would be instrumental in job creation in the
petrochemical industry," he added

Iran Gas SectorInternationalized

Iran will extend its high-pressure gas
transmission pipelines from the current
37,000 km to over 64,000 km by the end of
the 7th Five-Year Economic Development Plan.
The number of gas compressor stations is also
set to rise sharply to 140 from the current 80.
That would place Iran among the owners of the
most extended gas transmission networks in the
world. With over 37,000 km of high-pressure
gas pipeline, Iran plans to launch new projects
in coming years to remain the fourth largest
owner of gas supply grid in the world. Hassan
Torbati, CEO of National Iranian Gas Company
(NIGC) told a press conference at the Tehran
Oil Show that in the coming years, "in addition
to supplying domestic demands, entering
international fields by finding new markets for
gas exports, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and
delivery of technical services to other countries
would be on the agenda of NIGC." "Relying on our
skilful consultants in designing, good contracts
and capable operators, we hope to be able to
win a toehold in the markets of neighboring
countries that are either owner or consumer of
gas for exporting technical services and building
pipelines with a view to boosting national
output," he said. Torbati also played down the
impact of US sanctions on Iran's petroleum
sector, saying: "The US is making every effort
to exert pressure on Iran and we are making
efforts to counter their attempts. Experience has
shown that Iranians are more successful under
tough conditions and we will have no problem."
Asked about gas exports to Pakistan, he said:
"Pakistan's section of the gas pipeline to receive
Iran's gas is not complete yet; however, Pakistan
does not seem to have dismissed the main idea
of receiving Iran's gas, and we think that recent
meetings between officials from the two parties
would pave the way for serious talks." Regarding
cooperation with Turkmenistan, Torbati
said: "The discrepancies between Iran and
Turkmenistan pertain to debts. Our debts will be
examined shortly. Anyway, we want to sustain
cooperation between our private sectors."
Gas Pipeline Still Attractive
Torbati said National Iranian Oil Company
(NIOC) was in charge of exporting liquefied
natural gas (LNG). "Iran's neighboring countries
have still good potential to receive natural gas
via pipeline, but LNG exports are preferred for
farther distances." He said despite the impact of
international sanctions on Iran's gas exports, "a
good atmosphere is awaiting us in the long-term
because the Europeans are now assured of the
sustainability of Iran's gas exports. For instance,
Iran's gas exports to Turkey have not been halted
despite pressure throughout years."
Joint Investment for Gas Delivery to
Europe
Torbati said the volume of Iran-Azerbaijan
Republic gas transactions was not high, adding
that the two countries were initially to cooperate
in the construction of natural gas storage tanks...