Iranian Specialists’ Role Prominent
Last calendar year saw Iran’s oil refining industry take important steps towards development and self-sufficiency. The refining
industry has signed memorandums with the Petroleum Ministry and some other ministries and bodies. One of these MOUs was on
producing needle and sponge coke at the Bandar Abbas and Imam Khomeini oil refineries. They were signed between National
Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) and Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation
Organization (IMIDRO) with a view to putting an end to Iran’s sponge coke imports. Another achievement of the oil refining industry
is full commissioning of phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Bandar Abbas gas condensate refinery, generally known as the Persian Gulf Star
refinery. Some 70% of the equipment used at the condensate refinery was made in Iran.
First Refining
Branding in Iran
The Tabriz oil refining company has taken
effective steps towards development. To that end,
three refining projects and related projects came
online last August, costing IRR 54,150 billion. It is the
first refinery in the country to have started activity in
the branding sector. In line with its social responsibility
objectives, it has provided a variety of services to local
people. One such service was the construction of a road
and planting trees to help reduce air pollution.
The refining company also signed agreements
for the construction of a new sulfur production
unit in partnership with the Oil Design and
Construction Company.
Normal
HexaneProduction
The Imam Khomeini refinery in Shazand
has pursued a variety of development plans
ever since it was established. One of these plans
was to develop national knowhow for normal
hexane production for the first time in the country.
Normal hexane is used in the petrochemical and food
industry.The Shazand refinery, albeit with decrepit
equipment, has managed to develop a system for
evaluating catalytic performance. An evolution
has been under way at this refinery. In the last
calendar year, Lavan Oil Refining Company
first cargo of Euro-5 gasoline was loaded
to be dispatched to consumption
destinations.
Euro-5
Gasoline
The Lavan Oil Refining Company was built in
1976 under the name of Lavan Distillation Plant
with an initial capacity of 20,000 b/d of crude oil by a
Yugoslavian company under the supervision of National
Iranian Oil Company. The company has been developing
over these years. Last calendar year, it loaded its first
cargo of Euro-5 gasoline. By making processing changes
in the distillation and gasoline production units and the
operation of the light naphtha isomerization section, it
has managed to upgrade its gasoline from Euro-2 to
Euro-5 grade. Undoubtedly, improving the quality
of fuel including gasoil and gasoline would be
instrumental in improving the quality of air
Needle and
Sponge Coke
A memorandum of understanding was signed last
February for sponge coke production at the Bandar Abbas
oil refinery in the presence of the minister of petroleum and
the minister of industry, mine and trade. Needle and sponge
coke are key items in steel and aluminum industry. Iran used to
import these materials. The feedstock needed for both needle
and sponge coke production is fuel oil that is a major product
supplied by the Bandar Abbas oil refinery. The refinery has
also taken steps towards self-sufficiency and benefiting from
the potential of domestic manufacturers. The refinery
has manufactured over 4,900 items of commodities
it needs. Another instance of success by this
refinery is the receipt of a certificate from
the Global energy Foundation.
18 Loading Platforms
The Isfahan Oil Refining Company, like every other refinery, has had various development projects. It
realized its objective of implementing a 230-KW transmission line and a 230.33 high-voltage post, laying
out pipeline, pumping station and wastewater treatment station as well as loading platforms for light
products during the first months of the last calendar year. For the first time in the country, this company
launched a pipeline for a pumping station and urban wastewater treatment station. This national
environmental project for the industrial use of urban wastewater is under way with a capacity of 750
cubic meters at the Isfahan refinery with a view to cutting the level of drinking water consumption. The
Isfahan refinery has built 18 loading platforms in order to load lobe cuts, solvents and vacuum bottom with
a cost of about IRR 600 billion. These platforms are built in nine rows. The loading platforms handle light
products such as solvents, and six platforms handle heavy products like lobe cuts and vacuum bottom.
Domestic Equipment Use
The Persian Gulf Star refinery is the most Iranian refinery in the country. Over 70%
of the equipment used at this refinery has been domestically sourced and 95% of the
commissioning was done by Iranians. The 120,000 b/d refinery was built in three phases.
The capital needed for the fourth phase of facility was estimated at € 980 million. After
debottlenecking of operating phases, the fourth phase was implemented with € 900 million
and therefore € 90 million was saved. When its third phase came online, the refinery
started having a 50% share in the country’s gasoline output. Moreover, conditions have been
prepared at the refinery for the gasoline produced there to be traded on the Iran Energy
Exchange. As far as social responsibility is concerned, the company plans to build a 264-bed
hospital in Hormuzgan Province for $100 million to serve local residents.
Abadan Refinery Moving Ahead
The Abadan oil refinery is Iran’s oldest refinery.
It was built in 1912 and started work with an
initial output of 2,500 b/d. The facility has since
been through ups and downs. It was among one
of the first refining companies to launch the
IPCMMS system for mechanized maintenance.
IPCMMS belongs to NIORDC. It is available in
22 modules and 3 classes. Over 40 companies
affiliated with the Petroleum Ministry are using 1 this system now. 7