Iraq gas ideal for petrochemical production

04 November 2008 15:32  [Source: ICIS news]

DUBAI (ICIS news)--The significant volumes of natural gas available in southern Iraq present an opportunity for a strong petrochemical industry to develop in the country, a senior official at Shell Chemicals said on Tuesday.

 

"There is plenty of natural gas available in Iraq which could be used for petrochemical production," said Phil Parker, Shell Chemicals ME general manager, new business development, on the sidelines of the Middle East Petrochemical Conference.

 

However, Shell had no plans at present to engage in a petrochemical project in Iraq as conditions in the conflict-ridden country were not conducive, he said.

 

Such a project could only be feasible when conditions in Iraq are more favourable for petrochemical investment.

 

"It is a possible strategy which can only take off when there is enough infrastructure development, political stability and the right local partners, to say the least," Parker said.

 

Shell's joint venture with Iraq's South Gas Co plans to purchase and process the 700m standard cubic feet/day of natural gas produced in association with oil. According to Shell, the JV will initially focus on using the gas as a domestic energy source.

 

The two-day conference, organised by ICIS and Nexant, ends on Wednesday.

 

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By: Prema Viswanathan
+65 6780 4359

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