Behnam Shanesaz, addressing the refinery’s current production status, noted that the facility currently processes 252,000 barrels of crude oil per day at full capacity. "All processing units are operating at maximum capacity," he said, adding that like other refineries in the country, Tehran Refinery is responsible for producing strategic products, including liquefied gas, gasoline, Euro diesel, various grades of aviation fuel, fuel oil, and specialty products for downstream industries.

Shanesaz emphasized the refinery’s key role in aviation fuel production, accounting for over 48% of the country’s output. On average, the refinery produces 7.5 million liters of regular gasoline and about 14 million liters of Euro diesel daily, making these its primary outputs.

He highlighted the 14th administration’s strategic role in improving production processes, stating, "Over the past year, by utilizing idle capacity, securing naphtha from other refineries, and leveraging government policies, we increased gasoline production by about 1 million liters per day." He also expressed hope that the refinery’s CCR unit would be fully operational by 2026 to produce Euro-grade gasoline and boost output.

Tehran Refinery’s wastewater treatment: A sustainable water supply vision 

Shanesaz described the refinery’s wastewater treatment project as critical for ensuring a stable water supply, particularly given Tehran’s arid climate. The refinery requires around 32,000 cubic meters of water daily. To address this, an agreement was signed with South Tehran Water and Wastewater Company to transfer 52,000 cubic meters of treated water daily from the South Tehran Treatment Plant. This capacity not only meets current needs but also supports future expansion projects.

He confirmed that part of the project is already operational, with 15,000 to 20,000 cubic meters of municipal water replaced by treated water in the first phase. Once fully implemented, the project will ensure operational continuity under Tehran’s challenging climate and provide a sustainable water supply for nearby industries like Iranol and Pasargad.

Industry collaboration, environmental responsibility 

On environmental initiatives, Shanesaz said improving product quality and gasoline standards are key goals. The refinery has implemented real-time combustion monitoring for boilers and furnaces. A greenhouse gas capture project, in collaboration with a private firm near the refinery, has been operational for some time, with a second phase underway—an example of industry-environmental accountability.

He noted that another private company is capturing CO₂ emissions from one of the refinery’s units, liquefying the gas for industrial use. A second phase will expand this to other units, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Most equipment for the refinery’s treatment project was sourced domestically, with 70-80% of catalysts and chemicals supplied locally. "Only in limited cases did we resort to foreign sources," he said.

Crisis management during the 12-day war 

Despite heightened demand during the recent 12-day war, Shanesaz said gasoline production was not only maintained but increased due to strategic management. "This achievement is thanks to round-the-clock efforts by our committed staff," he said.

The refinery supplied gasoline nationwide, including northern regions, without compromising quality. National fuel distribution was managed in real-time by the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company, a milestone for Iran’s oil industry.