AhlulBayt News Agency: Iran has significantly expanded its oil refining capacity over the past year, despite ongoing US sanctions targeting its energy sector.
A senior official from the Iranian Oil Ministry’s fuel department (NIORDC) announced on Monday that the country’s refining capacity has increased by 160,000 barrels per day (bpd) since August last year, reaching a total of 2.4 million bpd.
Mohammad Ali Dadvar stated that the largest increase in refining capacity was achieved at Abadan Refinery, Iran’s largest oil refinery and the second-largest by output. Located in southwestern Khuzestan province, the facility is now processing 70,000 bpd more crude oil compared to last summer.
Dadvar, who serves as deputy CEO at NIORDC, also noted that the Persian Gulf Star Refinery, situated on the Persian Gulf coast in southern Iran, has raised its refining capacity by 35,000 bpd over the same period. A similar increase was recorded at Isfahan Refinery in central Iran.
The official emphasized that this significant boost in refining capacity has allowed Iran to reduce the volume of oil stored in its facilities, a concern that has persisted since the imposition of US sanctions in 2018.
Higher output from these three major Iranian refineries has also helped alleviate concerns regarding rising fuel demand within the country.
Iran’s fuel sector has been a primary target of foreign sanctions on its oil industry. However, the country has steadily expanded its refining capacity in recent years to mitigate the impact of sanctions on its transportation and electricity generation sectors.
/129
Your Comment