NPC and the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA) signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC). The MOC was signed in light of both sides' interest in development activities pertaining to the energy sector including chemical trading and storage, development of markets for petrochemical products and development of skills and capacities in the petrochemical sector. Based on the document, the parties will jointly investigate and cooperate in areas such as investment in petrochemicals in Iran, South Africa or any other country as well as joint venture discussions and human resources' skills development.
NPC and PetroSA have decided to establish working group to discuss, investigate and pursue opportunities which are presented by either party.
The document was signed at the seventh joint economic commission meeting between South Africa and Iran in late July 2003 which was held in Pretoria.





Stamicarbon of the Netherlands has issued a statement congratulating Khorasan Petrochemical Company (KHPC), an NPC subsidiary, for its achievement in holding the world record for continuous onstream time in a Stamicarbon CO₂ stripping urea plant.
The statement says the 754 days onstream in the years 1999-2001 is a considerable improvement over a record of 540 days achieved by CF Industries in the United States.
Stamicarbon said the KHPC's achievement was the result of "excellent workmanship of the people involved."
KHPC is located in Bojnurd, eastern province of Khorasan. It produces 1,000 tonne/day of ammonia and 1,500 tonne/day of urea. Its urea plant is based on Stamicarbon's carbon dioxide stripping process.




PIDMCO held a kick-off meeting with contractors on the NPC's 500,000 tonne/year ethylene project in Kharg Island and went over the plant's design.French contractor Techhnip-Coflexip and its Iranian partner Nargan are the EP contractors for the plant.The plant's contract is expected to become effective in the very near future.Using its proprietary technology and furnaces,Technip-Coflexip will perform basic and detailed engineering, supply equipment and will also supervise construction and commissioning. Nargan will undertake engineering work and procurement of local items of equipment and materials.
The ethane-based ethylene plant is due to be completed in 2006.It is slated to produce 44,000 tonne/year of C₃+ . The facility will receive its required ethane feedstock from the NGL plants of the Iranian Offshore Oil Co.