TEHRAN, July 16 (Shana) � Managing Director of National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) Abbass Kazemi said on Saturday that Iran's refining capacity has not downgraded and only in certain periods all or part of the capacity has been used in tune with market needs.

Kazemi told Shana that nominal capacity of Iran's refineries is pegged at 1,600,000 barrels per day but up to 1,830,000 barrels per day is used.

He said regarding the refining capacity defined for the country, 230,000 barrels is exploited more than the designed capacity.

He went on to say that over recent years, up to full capacity used to be exploited due to domestic demand but now, the domestic market is overwhelmed and is balanced with the exports.

He said once such projects as Setareh Khalij-e Fars, Anahita, Bahman Genu, and Sirraf are implemented by the private sector, the national refining capacity will rise up to 3,200,000 barrels, showing up to 70 percent increase.

By SHANA