TEHRAN - Head of the National Petrochemical Company (NPC) Morteza Shahmirzaie said the process of gathering associated gases will accelerate this year so that most petrochemical complexes' gas flares will be zeroed by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2025).

Shahmirzaei made the remarks during a visit to Assaluyeh, the host of gas processing plants south of Iran, Shana reported.

The official noted that NPC plans to pursue the gathering associated gases program more seriously than before, so it is determined to collect part of gas flares this year even though those flares that are involved in providing feedstock to petrochemical units will continue their operation for the next three years.

“Gas flares play the role of safety valves so that when there is an emergency situation, they start burning to prevent the occurrence of an incident, and when there is a stable situation their burning is contained,” the NPC head said.

He went on to say that “in a year that has been named the Year of Production Leap Through People’s Participation, petrochemical projects will bear fruit one after another and we should thank God for giving Iranians these resources.”

According to Shahmirzaei, 12 projects will become operational this year, including olefin and MEG projects at the Bushehr petrochemical complex, which will boost employment and economic growth and generate foreign exchange income.

“Hereby I would like to invite the investors to participate actively in productive activities of the petrochemical sector because the sector with its role as generating value-added, stands at the forefront of the country’s economy,” the official added.

During his tour of Assaluyeh, Shahmirzaie also visited some petrochemical units including Dena and Pars petrochemical complexes, the sweetening unit of Bushehr petrochemical complex, and Mehr petrochemical project.

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