TEHRAN — Ilam Gas Treatment Plant, in the western province of Ilam, will come on stream in the current Iranian year (started March 21, 2006), executive deputy of the plant said on Saturday.

The project is underway with 86 percent physical progress. Once installation of the equipment is completed, the plant will begin pilot production, Hamid Sham-Bayati told the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) in Ilam.

Ilam plant is to sweeten the gas produced from Tang-e Bijar and Kamankuh fields for use in Ilam Province and western Iran regions, he said. Production of ethane and heavy hydrocarbons as well as feeding Ilam Petrochemical Complex are other purposes behind construction of the plant, he added.

The plant is being built in two phases. At the first phase, two units for separating condensates (5.1 million cu. m. of nominal capacity), sweetening sour gases (3.4 million cu. m.), and a dehumanization unit (9.6 million cu. m.) are being constructed, he explained. The second phase has anticipated construction of units for sweetening ethane (0.6 million cu. m.), the production of sulfur, and the treatment of sour water, he added.

The deputy further explained that construction of a sour gas sweetening unit, a unit for the enhancement of the pressure of ethane, and sulfur production have been planned for the second phase.

Construction of Ilam Gas Treatment Plant has so far cost $204 million, provided through Forex resources.