During the closing ceremony of the 15th International Petrochemical
Industry Conference in Iran, Shahmirzai emphasized that the world has yet to
fully recognize the capacities and capabilities of Iran's petrochemical
industry. He stated that valuable discussions were held over the two-day
conference to enhance and develop the sector.
"Expectations are high for the results of this conference to be
compiled and documented, enabling industry stakeholders at all levels to
benefit," Shahmirzai said.
Highlighting the importance of addressing environmental concerns, Shahmirzai
noted the discussions surrounding the collection of flare gases, stressing that
recognizing the value of this national resource is crucial to prevent waste. He
emphasized that effective management of these resources could mitigate
international penalties for environmental pollution.
Shahmirzai expressed confidence in the collaboration between the
National Petrochemical Company and the Ministry of Oil to address flare gas
collection, stating that the National Iranian Oil Company should work closely
with the petrochemical industry on this initiative. He pointed out that greater
freedom for the private sector in project implementation would facilitate the
collection of associated gases, ensuring feedstock for gas processing plants and
petrochemical complexes.
The Deputy Oil Minister also addressed the need for specialized
sessions on water supply and consumption in the petrochemical sector, revealing
that many project locations had been inadequately planned. Some projects have
been relocated closer to Iran's southern coast in the past three years, and
their production models have been adjusted.
Shahmirzai indicated that approximately 15 petrochemical projects are
expected to come online by the end of the current Iranian year (March 2025). He
underscored the necessity for innovative investment methods to facilitate
investor participation in the petrochemical industry.
"Globally, there is a swift movement towards process
optimization, energy efficiency, and productivity enhancement. The petrochemical
companies must advance in this direction based on the specialized discussions
held at this conference," he added.
He acknowledged complaints from industry stakeholders regarding
feedstock supply and expressed hope that these challenges would be addressed
with support and planning from the Ministry of Oil's planning department.
In conclusion, Shahmirzai announced that a framework for the
integration of artificial intelligence in the petrochemical sector has also
been developed, marking a significant step towards modernization and efficiency
in Iran's petrochemical industry.