YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The French energy company–"Gas de France" is exploring the possibility of transforming the Armenian Experimental-Industrial Complex "Metan" (EIC "Metan") into a facility used for the extraction of heavy hydrocarbon from natural gas including liquefied gas.
This work is being carried out within the guidelines of the TACIS Program–Hratch Khachatrian–chief expert of the Department on Reforms and Development of the Energy Ministry of Armenia–said in an interview with Noyan Tapan.
Khachatrian said that the technical possibilities of this unfinished facility–as well as the possible use of its equipment and facilities for extracting heavy hydrocarbon from natural gas are being considered.
EIC "Metan" was being constructed in 1977. In 1988–construction was halted for ecological reasons. Soon after–the collapse of the USSR completely put an end to EIC "Metan." The facility was only 40 percent complete yet it had 90 percent of its required equipment installed.
The estimated cost of finishing the project was $110 million.
A few years ago–the Scientific and Technical Council of the Armenian Energy Ministry decided that there was no point in proceeding with the construction due to the lack of funds.
