Memories of Akbar Hashemi - March 1, 2002 - Visit to Khuzestan Province, Including Mahshahr and Omidieh

Continuing the visit to Khuzestan Province, similar to last year (2001), this time including Mahshahr and Omidieh, with reports from Seyyed Hassan Sadaat, Mohammad Reza Nematizadeh, Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, and Ali Najafi Sani.

Complete Daily Record:

I woke up early for the morning prayer. I wrote down yesterday's memories and read reports on the computer. In Palestine, within three days, Israel has martyred 27 people and injured 300. In India, the number of Muslims killed in Gujarat has exceeded 300, and Muslims are complaining about the army's delay in intervening to calm down the aggressive Hindus.

We had breakfast with the children and then visited a housing construction project and a large park being developed outside the city on 40 hectares of land next to the Jarrahi River, near the Taleghani neighborhood. Previously, the British established a park in that area, which has since been expanded. Mr. Nematizadeh and Mr. [Seyyed Hassan] Sadaat, [Director of National Petrochemical Company projects], explained that the park is open to the public. On our way, a female teacher arrived with a group of kindergarten children, and upon seeing us, she complained that the park manager was strict about allowing people in, causing embarrassment for them.

From there, we went to the Omidieh Base. The base commanders gathered and provided a report on the base's condition and the Chinese-made F-7 fighter jets. We then flew toward Assaluyeh. On the way, Mr. [Akbar] Turkan and Mr. [Mohammad Reza] Nematizadeh explained the extraction gas projects in South Pars and petrochemical initiatives in Assaluyeh. Mr. [Bijan Namdar] Zangeneh, [Minister of Oil], welcomed us, and we proceeded directly to a briefing session.

Mr. [Bijan Namdar] Zangeneh and Mr. [Ali] Najafi Sani provided reports. South Pars, [the largest gas field in the world], shared with Qatar, holds reserves of 14 trillion cubic meters, accounting for about 8% of the world's total reserves. Iran's share of this 9,700 square kilometer field is 3,700 square kilometers. The volume of gas condensate reserves in this field is estimated at 18 billion barrels. The field represents 8% of the world's gas reserves, with 14 phases identified, some of which have been contracted. I visited the first phase, which was initiated by the Marine Engineering and Construction Company, managed by Mahdi, and subsequently continued by Petropars. The project is behind schedule and has been contested by the General Inspection Organization, which has taken the matter to court. Engineer Shakeri provided an explanation, noting that it is similar to the phases in Kangan. We then visited phases 2 and 3, which are being executed by Total of France. I spoke with the French managers about these phases. We also visited the seawater intake area for the refineries, which is quite massive.

After lunch, prayers, and rest, we went to the Special Economic Zone's office. They explained that 10,000 hectares along the seaside were facing issues with the armed forces regarding the airport and the IRGC concerning the Nayband Gulf. We visited the construction sites of two massive docks, one for the entire region and one specifically for petrochemicals and sulfur exports, which are being rapidly constructed. The consulting engineer provided explanations and mentioned that this project is one of Mahdi's achievements.

We proceeded to the petrochemical region. Then I attended a meeting with their managers, where each project manager reported on their project's features. I also delivered a motivational speech. Next to the dock, I participated in a radio and television interview regarding the significance of South Pars and the region. The projects are estimated to cost around five billion dollars and will significantly impact the country's economy. 110 hectares of land have been reclaimed from the sea.

Near sunset, we flew back to Tehran and arrived home around nine o'clock. A massive explosion in West Jerusalem has resulted in numerous casualties.