Petrochemical chain development a priority: Owji

The nominee to take over the position of Iran’s oil minister in the new administrative government led by President Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi said that we must develop petrochemical chain as a priority for Iranian Oil Ministry.

Speaking at the meeting with some Iranian lawmakers, Javad Owji said: "Enjoying qualified managers, this ministry should use various methods to sell crude oil,” Shana reported.

He went on to say that we must use the potentials of the private sector, adding that the private sector could play an important role in developing the country’s oil sector.

Owji said on Thursday that he’ll push for increased natural gas output beyond the current enviable record of nearly one billion cubic meters per day.

The plan released by Owji showed he was keen to further boost gas production capacity to meet a growing domestic demand in Iran.

He said the Oil Ministry under his watch would seek to supply maximum amount of natural gas to industries and power plants to save other fuels for exports and additional purposes.

Iran more than doubled its gas output during eight years of former president Hassan Rouhani. The increase became possible mainly thanks to massive expansion schemes in the country’s giant South Pars Gas Field that is located in the Persian Gulf.