Petrochemical complexes in the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone (PSEEZ) have been told to reduce their level of associate petroleum gas output or face penalties, Shana news agency reported.
Managing director of the PSEEZ Mehdi Yousefi said in a statement that petrochemical complexes will face “heavy fines” if they fail to reduce APG levels within a specific timeframe.
“PSEEZ complexes are required to publish biweekly reports on their measures to curb APG levels,” he said without elaboration.
Associated petroleum gas, or APG, is a form of natural gas which is found with deposits of petroleum. It is often released as a waste in the petroleum extraction industry. When it is burnt off in gas flares, it is referred to as flare gas. The oil ministry is studying several ways to curb APG levels; collecting it for injection into oil and gas wells, converting APG into petroleum products such as natural gas liquids, and using APG for electricity generation.
According to reports, a Japanese research organization has estimated that more than 4.5 million cubic meters (mcm) of flare gas per day is burnt in the South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf, but the volume can decrease to 1mcm by improving the performance of refineries.
