Iran starts construction works for major petcoke plant
Construction works for a major petroleum coke plant has been launched in southern Iran as authorities hope the project could help the country cut its massive import bill and create thousands of jobs in the region.
Oil Minister Javad Owji was in the Bandar Abbas refinery, on the Persian Gulf coast, on Saturday to kick-start a project that will enable the refinery to produce sponge pet coke, a raw material widely used in the Iranian metals sector.
A senior aide to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei accompanied Owji in the ceremony to launch the $2.2 billion project that will lead to a major increase and diversification of products in Bandar Abbas refinery.
Owji said Iranian Oil Ministry’s Research Institute will contribute to the construction and launch of the pet coke facility, adding that the project will create some 8,000 new jobs in the region.
He said Iran has become the sixth country in the world to now posses the technology to produce petroleum coke.
Iran has for years imported needle and sponge petroleum cokes for consumption in its steel mills and aluminum smelters.
A plan was developed several years ago to replace a bulk of mazut production in two major Iranian refineries with pet cokes.
According to the plans, the Bandar Abbas refinery will produce some 620,000 metric tons of sponge coke per year once it comes on line.
The Shazand refinery, located in central Iran, is also expected to produce 70,000 tons of needle coke per year under the program.
D-8’s role in Iran’s economy after Cairo summit
Iran’s mining, metals exports at $8.8bn in Apr-Nov
Iran’s cenbank says inflation down to lowest in 4 years
Israel indicts two settlers over suspected spying for Hezbollah
Iran: US airstrikes on Yemen war crimes, violation of international law
Yemeni armed forces down F-18 fighter jet, repel US-UK attack: Spokesman
Iran warns against US-Israeli plot to weaken Muslims, dominate region
VIDEO | Public uproar in US against Israeli regime
‘Ghost town’: 70% of Jabalia buildings destroyed by Israel
Mother’s Day: Sareh Javanmardi’s inspiring journey as Paralympic champion and mother
Russia downs over 40 Ukrainian drones as Putin vows 'destruction' on Kiev
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
