FNA - Iranian officials announced that, thanks to new developments in two major oil refineries, the capacity of quality fuel production of the country has increase by 17 million liters a day, adding that the progress has led to dramatic curb in sulfur produced in these refineries.


The launching of new hydrogen purification units at Bandar Abbas and Tabriz refineries has added 17 million liter of Euro 4 and Euro 5 diesel fuel per day, indicating a 75% increase in production.


According to Saeid Maddah Moravej, an official at the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company, the newly installed hydrogen purification units at Bandar Abbas and Tabriz refineries have added 17 million liters per day of diesel fuel with Euro 4 and Euro 5 standards.


He added that the launching of the said units has decreased the amount of sulfur produced in these refineries from 10,000 pmm to 50 pmm, and in some other units, from 10,000 pmm to 10 pmm, deeming it a considerable progress and a giant leap in the production of high quality diesel fuel.


He said that the distribution of Euro 4 and Euro 5 diesel fuel has started about a month ago in Iran.


Moravej said the distribution of Euro 4 and Euro 5 diesel fuel from Iran�s three main ports, namely Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, and Bushehr, which contribute greatly to the country's transport system, is of high significance.


In a related front, earlier in mid-June, Managing Director of National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) Abbas Kazzemi announced, "The first gasoline consignment produced at Persian Gulf refinery entered the country�s distribution cycle."


Kazzemi underlined that the Persian Gulf Star Refinery has enjoyed favorable conditions since it began its operation.


After startup of major projects like Persian Gulf Star Refinery, Iran will be able to export gasoline.


The first phase of the refinery would have a capacity of 120,000 b/d of gas condensate.


The refinery is owned by Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Investment Company (49%), Oil Industry Pension Fund (33.1%) and National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) (17.9%).


Once fully operational, the refinery would produce 36 ml/d of high-octane gasoline and 14 ml/d of gasoil. Other products include 4 ml/d of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), 3 ml/d of jet fuel and 130 tons a day of sulfur.


After the project's first phase becomes fully operational, other phases will come online each after 6 months.