June 16, 2012:

IRNA cited Mr Ali Reza Rahaie Chancellor of Amir Kabir University as saying that Iran will build a gas refinery, using domestic workforce, in cooperation with the National Iranian Gas Company, National Iranian Oil Company, Oil Industry Research Center, universities and entrepreneurs. Mr Rahaie said that the refinery will be one of the 40 macro projects that have been endorsed by related organs. Establishment of the refinery is of importance regarding the industry sector's growing need for energy. Earlier, Mr Mahmoud Zirakchianzadeh MD of the National Iranian Offshore Oil Company had said the biggest gas refinery in the Persian Gulf will become operational on the southern Iranian island of Qeshm next year.

Mr Zirakchianzadeh said that the Qeshm gas refinery would be able to process about 80 million cubic feet of gas per day and will become fully operational next year. The design, construction, installation, and commissioning stages of the project have been undertaken by domestic contractors and manufacturers. He said that the construction of the gas refinery on Qeshm Island has started in parallel with the development of Hengam oil field which is close to the island. Hengam oil field, which is shared with Oman, is currently producing more than 22,000 barrels of oil per day with the target output of 30,000 barrels per day.

By IRNA