Work is in progress to increase production of methanol and urea at Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company’s (GPIC) complex.

A carbon dioxide recovery (CDR) project the company has launched will use flue gas from the methanol reformer to augment production of the two substances.
The project will be completed by 2010. The technology licensor is Mitsubishi Heavy Industry Ltd of Japan, while Technimont ICB Pvt Ltd. Of India is the engineering and procurement contractor. 
GPIC’s production in 2007 was estimated at 1.37 million tonnes against 1.48 million tonnes in 2006.
In 2007, production of ammonia was 416,581 tonnes against 450,619 tonnes in 2006, urea production was 583,987 tonnes against 624,682 tones and methanol production 370,438 tonnes against 406,595 tonnes.
Figures for 2007 were based on actual output until December 12 and estimated thereafter.
The company has said it is committed to growth despite the challenging scenario on the natural gas situation in Bahrain.
“The financial base of the company has growth from strength to strength and the quest to expand its business is the reason for embarking on new projects,” a company spokesman said.
Net profit for the first half of this year was $111 million. The company had announced a record profit of $162 million for 2006, up 27 per cent over the previous year.
In a significant development in 2007, one of GPIC’s biggest customers, Agriliance USA, signed an agreement to buy 500,000 tonnes the company’s urea every year.
Also during the year, GPIC received a three-year renewal for its Level 1 status ‘Low risk’ certificate for bulk granular urea production and export terminal operation from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services.