Iran to build gas refinery in Qeshm Island soon

Iran is planning to build a gas refinery in the Southern Persian Gulf Island of Qeshm in the near future, an energy official announced on Sunday. “This refinery with a production capacity of 80 million cubic feet of gas per day will be built in the center of the country’s energy zone,” Head of the Qeshm Operational Zone at the National Iranian Offshore Oil Company (NIOOC) Heydar Yarveisi told FNA. He further explained that development of 16 new oil and gas fields as well as production of 12,000  megawatts of electricity has been planned for Qeshm Island. “Owing to its geographical situation and its proximity to the Southern Persian Gulf littoral states and the strategic Hormuz Strait, Qeshm can turn into a hub for storing and exporting oil, gas and petrochemical products,” Yarveisi added. In September, NIOOC Managing Director Mahmoud Zirakchianzadeh said Iran plans to build several gas power plants on Qeshm Island after developing Forouz B gas field in the Persian Gulf waters. Zirakchianzadeh said the project is aimed at generating 12 thousand megawatt of electricity. Stating that development of the gas field was awarded to Mapna “several months ago”, the NIOOC top executive said, "Mapna has completed 86 percent of seismological work and has provided Pre MDP. " "Mapna should spend $200 million on the project this year," the official said at the time, adding that the NIOC has expressed its readiness to deliver the gas needed for generating 12 thousand megawatt of electricity to applicant companies for a 25 year period. Development contract of Forouz B gas field was signed in 2011 between Mapna Company and NIOOC for production of gas and generating electricity.