TEHRAN: Iran has drastically cut its gasoline imports in recent weeks as it started the second phase of an oil refinery, moving closer to reaching gasoline independence, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing trading sources.
IraOPEC’s third-largest oil producer—has been reliant on gasoline imports for years because of lack of refining capacity and the Western sanctions that had limited the choices for funding and spare parts for refinery maintenance.
Now Iran has started the second phase of the Persian Gulf Star Refinery in Bandar Abbas, which will double the refining capacity of the facility to 240,000 bpd. According to trading sources who spoke to Reuters, production has yet to be ramped up and has yet to meet the highest gasoline quality standards.
