Rustem Khamitov took part in plenary session of Russian Petrochemical Forum in Ufa

UFA, 23 May 2017. /Bashinform News Agency, Olga Murtazina/. In Ufa, a plenary session of the Russian Petrochemical Forum was held, during which leading experts of the industry made presentations on topical issues. The event was attended by the Head of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov. In his welcoming speech, he recalled that these days the republic celebrated the 85th anniversary of Bashkir oil.

"Today, the share of the oil industry in total volume of the country is small - just over 3%. The share of primary processing enterprises is already 9%. Production of gasoline is 12%, diesel fuel - 14%. These are already quite significant figures", the Head of the Region noted. Rustem Khamitov also spoke about interaction with PJSOC Rosneft: "Of course, we are happy with the way our joint projects are going. We form a list of equipment produced in the republic - machines, mechanisms that will work for the needs of the leading oil companies. In addition to Rosneft, Gazprom, Sibur companies are also considering what we can produce, and this all affects the loading of our machine-building complex".

"In recent years the oil refining and petrochemical enterprises of the republic have been implementing a major project on technical re-equipment and modernization of production facilities. Today, the share of investments in the oil and gas industry accounts for almost half - 47% of the total investment of large and medium-sized companies," Rustem Khamitov noted.

The republican list of priority investment projects includes 16 projects that refer to chemistry and petrochemistry. Their total cost is close to 200 billion rubles. These projects have received the appropriate support from the republic. Thus, acrylic acid and ethyl acrylate complex was built and put into operation at Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat. Construction and installation works were completed on the isomerization unit for the pentane-hexane fraction, which will increase the production of high-octane gasolines.

Ufaorgsintez is implementing an investment project to modernize isopropylbenzene production. Since 2016, a program for reconstruction of the pipeline system has been in operation in Bashneft.

The Head of Bashkortostan also said that Bashneft would launch a new complex of treatment facilities by the end of summer - early autumn this year. "These are new technologies for wastewater treatment. This is a remarkable event that will significantly improve the ecological situation in the republic," Rustem Khamitov commented on.

The speakers who delivered reports at the plenary session spoke about the need to "change a vector" in the industry and develop our own technologies. The work of the forum and the 25th international exhibition will last three days, during which many scientific and practical conferences, sessions, roundtables and meetings will be held.