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Hubert Michaelis is a diplom ingenieur. Born in 1939, he has 35 years of experience in marketing, sales, design and construction of refineries, petrochemical and chemical plants. Currently, he is Lurgi's Director of Sales for Indian Subcontinent, Iran, Arabian countries, Turkey and Africa. He is also a member of the supervisory board of a German/Arabian company and heads the Refinery-Petrochemistry Section of the Saudi/German Businessmen Dialogue, an organization within the Ministry of Economics of both countries. He represented Lurgi Oel. Gas. Chemie at the inauguration ceremony of Kharg Methanol Plant. During his stay in Iran, Mr. Miachaelis agreed to an interview with NPC News Bulletin and openly answered our questions for which we are grateful.
Hubert Michaelis at KMP site during the
plant's inauguration ceremony |
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Q. Today, Kharg Methanol Plant (KMP) was officially inaugurated. Your company, Lurgi, provided license and basic engineering for the plant. How do you feel, now that the plant is running smoothly?
A. Witnessing today's inauguration of the KMP, the magnitude of the success accomplished and the importance of the Kharg Methanol project for the Islamic Republic of Iran was clearly demonstrated through the presence of President Mohammad Khatami himself and H.E. Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, Minister of Petroleum and H.E. Mohammad R. Nematzadeh, Deputy Petroleum Minister and President of NPC and many distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony. Lurgi provided the license and supplied the basic engineering for this 2000 t/day methanol complex in Kharg and in addition arranged in 1996, in partnership with NPC/London, an international financing via the Lurgi subsidiaries in Spain and Austria.
Q. Compared to other NPC's development projects, the Iranian content was considerably higher in KMP. How do you size up the involvement of Iranian companies in this project?
A. This project has some specific highlights: Based on Lurgi's technology and the supply of basic engineering, Petrochemical Industries Design and Engineering Company (PIDEC) which is a well recognized Iranian contractor, acted as a main contributor to this project including the detail engineering and procurement for the offshore supplies. We are pleased to say that the local engineering and construction and the supply of equipment and commodities met the expectations.
Q. Did their involvement have any effect on the total cost of the project?
A. Of course, there is a positive impact on the overall cost of the project. Of major importance to us is the assurance that selected suppliers meet the project specification and requirements and as a result conform to internationally proven standards.
Q. How do you see the prospect for the Iranian petrochemical industry?
A. The petrochemical industry of the Islamic Republic of Iran showed, particularly during the past years, an impressive development. The past five year investment programs, especially the olefin complexes have been benchmarks of achievement. It is with great interest that we recognize the current contacts made by potential international partners with NPC/PIDMCO. I feel that synergies achieved with such strong partners could support further growth in the Iranian petrochemical industry. In addition, I would like to indicate that Iran's rich oil and gas resources and its concept to add value to these resources by the implementation of profitable downstream production facilities bodes well for a prosperous future.
Q. And the last word?
A. Finally, allow me to congratulate everyone who has contributed to the successful realization of the Kharg Methanol project. What we have inaugurated today is the result of a joint effort by NPC, PIDMCO, ECC and Lurgi.
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