13 jetties. So far, drainage operations and building of loading arms have been completed and 300,000 b/d of oil could be handled in the near future there.
Q: What is Iran's current crude oil storage capacity?
A: Iran's crude oil storage capacity has reached 28 million barrels, which will be soon increased by 10 million barrels after the startup of privately-owned Ganaveh project. Once this capacity increased to 38 million barrels, Iran will be closer to international standards. Iran is exporting its crude oil on a daily basis which complies with its OPEC quota.
Currently due to good levels of crude oil exports, Iran's oil storage capacity is below 19 mb/d. That is because of Iran's agreement with countries and companies buying crude oil. For instance, Iran's crude oil exports to Europe are now more than the pre-sanctions levels.
Q: Would you please tell us about the IOTC's plans for Jask?
A: The Iranian government's policy relies on establishing an oil terminal in the Makran coastal area and the Sea of Oman. To that end, more than 5,400 ha of land has been purchased and a refinery and a terminal with a capacity of 10 million barrels are expected to be erected there. Gas destined for Oman crosses this area. Crude oil is planned to be piped from Goureh to Jask before being exported by four single-point moorings. The project is planned to be done by the private sector over the coming four years. That would bring the crude oil storage capacity to 48 million barrels. Foreign companies and investors can cooperate with the private sector in this project.
Q: Would you please tell us about the company's overhaul plans?
A: According to pre-scheduled plans, overhaul is under way at storage facilities and jetties. Currently, nine oil loading jetties are operating in Kharg. Furthermore, Iran has repaired more than 250 kilometers of its subsea pipeline, which is set to remove hydrodynamic scour at 250 critical points. Iran is monitoring and repairing pipelines by DP2 vessel which is fitted with cutting edge technologies.
Q: Over recent years, the IOTC has set records in daily oil exports. Has there been any new record?
A: Last April we managed to repeat our last year's 8-million-barrel record. In the wake of reconstruction at the Kharg jetties we hope to set the 10-million-barrel record. To that end, overhaul of loading arms and metering of Azarpad jetty at Kharg Island are under way. We will also see a major change in offshore operations after buying four new tugboats.
Q: What are your plans for cooperation with foreign companies?
A: We are currently ready to cooperate with major world companies in the field of maintenance of storage tanks. We have held talks with the Dutch company Vopak on this issue. We hope to soon sign a sister company deal with this company which is handling 60 oil terminals to cooperate in sharing experience and technological knowhow. Foreign investors can also cooperate with us in investment in the Jask terminal and buying tugboats on the rent-to-own basis. We currently own 10 tugboats and we have rented two others. We plan to add four tugboats to our fleet in order to phase out four clapped-out ones.
Q: Would you please tell us about your social responsibility plans?
A: In cooperation with the Ports and Maritime Organization, the Office of Deputy CEO of IOTC for Human Resources has received permit to stage offshore pilots for the first time in the country. Fortunately, after the notification of laws and regulations on the maintenance of oil storage tanks, many projects have been considered. For instance, oil storage tanks earthing has been commissioned in Iran. Due to climate change in southern Iran, we hope to minimize the rate of accidents at Kharg terminal.
In addition to our obligations, we have made great achievements in the public interest projects. For instance, we have provided two passenger ships navigating between Bushehr and Kharg and three others between Kharg and Ganaveh as part of our efforts to serve local people in Kharg. Besides, more projects like water and power supply have been implemented.