Iran announces second Oil Refining Forum

TEHRAN, July 16 (UPI) -- Iran announced Wednesday an October oil refining conference to discuss cooperation across the sector and industrial developments.

The 2nd Iran Oil Refining Forum is scheduled for Oct. 11 to 12 in Tehran. Iranian Press TV said at least 80 international and 200 Iranian firms participated in the first conference held in 2007.

The conference, planned by the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Co., will feature presentations on the processing of extra heavy crude oil and other technological improvements.

NIORDC Director Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh and Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari are expected to address the participants of the October conference.

The meeting precedes the first major oil conference in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. The Iraqi conference is scheduled for Oct. 17.