TEHRAN, March 12 (Shana) -- Iran will launch Persian Gulf Star Refinery's first phase by May 2016 to become self-sufficient in gasoline production.
Phase I of the project will be launched for production of 12ml/d of liquids.

The second phase of the project will come online with the production capacity of 24ml/d by September 2016 and the final phase of the project will add another 12ml/d to the refinery's output and will become operational by early 2017.

Fulfillment of the refinery's first phase will bring Iran to self-sufficiency in gasoline production. Iran is now an importer of gasoline.
Iran currently imports 5 ml/d of gasoline to meet its growing demand. The startup of Persian Gulf Star Refinery would let Iran even export 3 to 4 ml/d of gasoline.

The project, Iran's first gas condensate refinery, has so far received �1.6b for its completion.

It will consume 360,000 barrels of gas condensate on a daily basis once fully operational.

By SHANA