Speaking among CEOs of petrochemical companies, Majid Chegeni, the NIGC
CEO, stated, "In total, during 1402 (Iranian calendar year that ended on
March 20), we achieved a 7% growth in supplying 24.4 million cubic meters of
gas to petrochemical units, compared to 22.8 million cubic meters in
1401."
"I began my career in the oil industry with petrochemicals,
considering myself part of the larger petrochemical family, familiar with its
concerns and challenges," Chegeni added at the "Specialized Meeting
of Senior Managers in the Petrochemical Industry with the Aim of Achieving a
Production Surge with People's Participation."
He emphasized the incomparability of the petrochemical industry with
any other, stating it is a leading industry, embodying this year's slogan
coined by the Supreme Leader as "the year of production surge with
people's participation."
The Deputy Petroleum Minister highlighted the definite advantage of
the petrochemical industry in the country's economic development, stressing the
need for optimal utilization of this potential through proper planning and
policymaking.
However, he acknowledged shortcomings in achieving the desired value
chain completion, attributing some blame to governmental sectors for failing to
create necessary attractiveness for investment in the petrochemical value
chain.
Chegeni acknowledged the petrochemicals' concern regarding gas supply
restrictions in the cold season, citing that despite efforts, limitations in
gas supply to industries and petrochemicals are sometimes inevitable due to
high gas consumption in non-industrial sectors during cold periods.
"In the winter peak, more than 70% of injected gas into the
network is consumed in non-industrial sectors, leaving us to distribute less
than 30% among industries, power plants, petrochemicals, etc.," he
explained.
Responding to criticism regarding the gas feedstock formula, Chegeni
stated that discussions on changing the petrochemicals' gas feedstock formula
and eliminating or modifying European indices fall under the purview of the
Ministry of Petroleum's planning deputy, which he plans to address.