Bidbland Gas Refining Company increased its gas processing during the first quarter of the current Iranian year (March 21-June 21) by 67% compared with the same period of last year, managing director of the company said.
“The refinery processed 1.76 billion cubic meters of gas this spring, by using the capability of knowledge-based companies and by relying on the power and expertise of local and efficient workforce,” Ali Mohammad Pour-Reza was also quoted as saying by the Oil Ministry’s news agency Shana.
The rise is the result of several projects in the field of repairing and replacing defective parts and equipment, as some are 50 years old.
The projects were carried out in compliance with all safety requirements so that the refinery can continue to meet a part of the country's growing demand for gas without a problem, he added.
Located in the southwestern Khuzestan Province, the refinery was established in 1970 to process sour gas from Aghajari Field and conduct exports.
With the completion of a development project in the refinery last January, it began processing associated gas as well.
Now the refinery has a daily capacity of processing 56 million cubic meters of associated gas from the East and West Karun oilfields that include large oilfields straddling the Iran-Iraq border, namely Azadegan, Yaran, Yadavaran and Darkhoein.
Nearly 60% of flared gas in the three provinces of Khuzestan, Kohgilouyeh-Boyerahmad and Bushehr are collected by Bidboland and converted into value-added materials instead of being wasted
Nearly 60% of flared gas in the three provinces of Khuzestan, Kohgilouyeh-Boyerahmad and Bushehr are collected by Bidboland and converted into value-added materials instead of being wasted.
The massive volume equals gas produced by two standard phases of South Pars, Iran's mega gas field in the Persian Gulf that is being developed in 24 phases.
Bidboland facility has an annual production capacity of 10.4 million tons of methane, which is injected into the national gas grid, 1.5 million tons of ethane, 1 million tons of propane, 600,000 tons of gas condensates and 500,000 tons of butane that are supplied to several petrochemical plants in Mahshahr and Gachsaran counties.
An estimated 900,000 tons of acid gas produced each year in the plant are injected into oil wells of Aghajari field to boost crude output and produce 600,000 tons of gas condensates.
A project is also underway at the refinery to produce jet fuel. The pilot project is to desulfurize butane to convert it to jet fuel that will annually help earn at least $20 million.
Removing sulfur from butane is an environment-friendly practice that will cut greenhouse gases in the region in the long run.
Jet fuel is a specialized type of fuel used to power aircraft. It is generally of a higher quality than what is used in heating equipment or road transport.
Iran produces fuel used in aircraft and helicopters, and exports it to Armenia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.
According to the Aviation Fuel Department at the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company, about 1,300 aircraft in Iran need 15 million liters of fuel annually.
When all the ongoing projects are completed, the huge Bidboland complex is expected to generate $1.5 billion a year, including $700 million from exports.
