Talking in a press conference on the sidelines of the third day of the 26th International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition, Jalil Salari added that effective measures have been carried out to make the necessary arrangements for exporting technical and engineering services and supplying foreign countries with refining equipment.

He stressed the need for employing new methods in the refining industry, vowing to steer it from a fuel-oriented sector to a lucrative one by changing the structure of the company from a service organization to a development company.

The deputy petroleum minister underlined, “We have to enjoy the private sector’s cooperation and domestic companies’ technical know-how to develop the country’s industry and gain a foothold in international markets.”

Bandar Abbas Refinery Furnace Oil Plan

The NIORDC managing director said the reduction of furnace oil to 10 percent is among the challenges Bandar Abbas Refinery is faced with.

It is necessary to improve the standards of furnace oil production and meet international standards, underlined Salari, explaining that Bandar Abbas Refinery has been a pioneer in this field and indigenized the main part of its technical know-how.

Shahid Soleimani Refinery Operations

The deputy minister put great emphasis on using the private sector’s capacity to carry out the executive operations of Shahid Soleimani Refinery.

He expressed hope it will be an all-Iranian project.

“We have carried out the major part of necessary measures and are making every effort to get other permits in order to begin its executive operations,” said the NIORDC chief.

Daily Production

Salari said that Iran’s average refining capacity now stands at 2.2 million barrels per day and the country is currently producing 260 million liters per day on average.

The refining sector has a close eye on international markets, reiterated the deputy minister, noting, “We plan to make products from crude oil and supply to both domestic and international markets, as they are more lucrative and create the added value.”

Cooperation with Latin American states in the energy sector deems necessary, as it helps exchange expertise and increase capacities, he underlined.

Bunkering Position

Shazand Refinery is producing sulfur-free furnace oil and Bandar Abbas Refinery will also produce it after the executive operations are conducted, said Salari, continuing that their output will meet the needs of the shipping and bunkering.

To develop bunkering in the country, he went on to say, it is necessary to develop its infrastructure first in a package in order to have a strong presence in the Persian Gulf and promote it to its real status.

Jet Fuel Output

The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company head said the country not only meets the country’s jet fuel needs, but also has made the arrangements to export it.

There is no problem regarding the aviation fuel production, and the country has the capacity to produce 14 million liters of jet fuel per day.

Five Shiploads of Products Exported

Some five shiploads of products have been exported in the first two months of the current Iranian calendar year (starting March 21), Salari said.

“Our target markets are different and include East Asian countries and India,” concluded the deputy minister.