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8845 en 1 - 35 Domestic Trips 2008-03-06 10:33:20 - President in Mahshahr to inaugurate major projects - 28224 8859 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Mahshahr to inaugurate several major petrochemical and development projects in this southwestern city. The president, accompanied by several members of his cabinet, was warmly welcomed by local officials including the Supreme Leader's Representative Ayatollah Mohammad-Ali Moussavi Jazayeri, the provincial Governor-General Jafar Hejazi and several other local officials. The president is due to inaugurate three petrochemical projects in Bandar Imam Economic Petrochemical Zone. The 90-km Persian Gulf freeway will also be inaugurated by president Ahmadinejad. During his one-day tour, the president will also inaugurate the first phase of the giant Azadegan oil field, 62 kms west of Ahvaz. The phase, with a daily output of 25,000 bpd has been made operational by Iranian experts. The project has been handled fully by Iranian experts as the Japanese company, INPEX, under US pressure, declined to invest in the huge project. The Japanese party's share in the project hence decreased to 10 percent from 90 percent. Operation of the project is a manifestation of the expertise of Iranian technicians and engineers. Azadegan oil field with about 26 billion barrels of oil reserve is one of the world's largest oil fields. According to the prediction, the seven wells of the Azadegan field are expected to produce 25,000 barrels per day (bpd). Iran had previously said it expected the first six wells to produce 20,000 bpd in the Azadegan field on Iran's border with Iraq. Oil Minister Gholam-Hossein Nozari, Minister of Communication and Information Technology Mohammad Soleymani, and Minister of Road and Transportaion Mohammad Rahmati are accompanying President Ahmadinejad in this southwestern provincial tour.  Mahshahr, Khuzestan Prov, March 6, IRNA 0 8851 8848 8847 8846 8845 8844