Kharg, which is one of the poorest parts of Iran in terms of soil, is one of the richest parts of the world in terms of oil reserves. Kharg and its oil installations was also a main target for Iraqi planes during 2,888 days of bitter war between the two neighboring countries. The islands importance is a result of oil installations on it. Petrochemical operations as well as installations related to development or management of offshore oil fields and oil exports are major attractions of the island. Kharg region also includes Forouzan, Abuzar and Doroud oil fields. The fields, which are currently producing crude oil, are located near Esfandiyar oil field, which has not started production yet. The island is also important due to two very large docks which facilitate loading and export of crude oil by very large crude carriers. More than 95 percent of Irans oil exports are carried out through Kharg Island and it enjoys T and Azarpad docks; the former is located to the east of the island while the latter is located to the west of the island. Oil Tanks Huge oil tanks have been built in the highest parts of the island, which enjoys strong coral structures, to pave he way for operational maneuvers as well as storing heavy loads of crude oil. The tanks are used in critical conditions when climatic situation does not allow tanker ships to berth along the island. The tanks are located at a height of 200 ft from the sea level and allow for crude oil to move toward docks as a result of gravitational pool. The tanks are thick and tall cylinders whose capacities vary from 140,000 barrels to one million barrels of crude oil. Their ceilings are floating and move with the level of oil inside the tanks. Floating ceilings greatly reduce wastage of light gases associated with oil and also prevent quality of the crude oil to fall. A floating ceiling is also safer and prevents air from being mixed with hydrocarbon substances inside the tank. At present, there are 22 tanks on the island with capacities varying from 140,000 to one million barrels. Eastern “T” Dock T dock was built in 1960 and the first consignment of Iranian crude oil, which amounted to 125,610 tons, was exported through that dock. The dock is located 1,100 m from Kharg Island where Persian Gulf water is even 22 m deep in some places. T dock enjoys 10 wharves which have been numbered from 1 to 10. Ships up to a capacity of 270,000 tons can berth at the dock. Western (Azarpad) Dock Azarpad dock was built in 1971, some 1,455 m off the island where Persian Gulf water is 32 m deep in some places. Four undersea 56-inch pipelines carry crude oil from tanks to the dock. Also, two 20-inch pipelines take fuel to the dock and ships berthing there. At present, Azarpad dock enjoys three wharves and is one of the most active oil docks in the world where ships up to 300,000 tons can berth. Forouzan Oil Field Forouzan oil field is located 90 km from Kharg Island and is shared by Iran and Saudi Arabia. The field is currently producing 40,000 barrels crude per day. Khajeh Jahromi, head of production department of the National Iranian Offshore Oil Company, says that the fields development plan is to increase its production up to 80,000 barrels per day after gas injection into the field. Jahromi stated that the plan will also include the nearby Esfandiyar oil field. Abuzar Oil Field Abuzar oil field is 70 km off the island and includes 60 active wells and sometimes, crude oil has been produced from 70 wells. The field is currently yielding 205,000 barrels crude oil. Mousavi, official in charge of production platform of Abuzar oil field, says that production of the field is to hit 240,000 barrels per day after changing the pipeline which takes crude oil from Abuzar oil field to Kharg Island and drilling eight new wells. Doroud Oil Field Doroud is one of the oldest Iranian oil fields which is currently pumping oil and is about half a century old. Over more than 40 years of activities, the field has gone through two development stages and the third stage is currently underway. At present, the field has pumped about 140,000 barrels crude oil, but its development plan is to increase that figure to 200,000 barrels. Kharg Petrochemical Complex Kharg Petrochemical Complex which was known as Kharg Olefin Plant, has been recently renamed Morvarid Petrochemical Complex. The contract for building the plant was signed about two years ago and the plant will be made up of two petrochemical units. The first unit is an ethylene unit with annual capacity of 500,000 tons while the second unit will produce 300,000 tons glycol per year. The petrochemical complex will be fed with associated gas produced in Kharg region.