The first unit of Abadan refinery is thus to be made operational until November 2004, he added.
It had the highest production rate of all Iranian refineries before the Islamic Revolution in 1979 (600,000 bpd). The imposed war, started in 1980, severely affected the function of Abadan oil refinery. But, as the UN resolution declared the end of the destructive war in 1988, Iran embarked on rebuilding the refinery so that it has recently reached an average production capacity of 400,000 bpd.
Musavi also said that almost half of the crude volume in the refinery is turned into furnace oil due to some immunity problems in older units. “The major part of the efforts should be concentrated on renovating these units,” he stated.
The reconstruction process would involve three phases, he said, adding that the primary phase consists of atmospheric distillation unit, crude desalination, and vacuum distillation unit.
The relevant contract, which is supposed to cost $37 million, will be valid from December 13, Musavi stated. “It should take a maximum 34-month period to be completed,” he said.
He added that before November 2003, the project confirmed 52 percent progress. As the first phase of the refinery comes on stream next year, the atmospheric unit may attain a daily output of 180,000 barrels, he stated. “The turnout rate of middle-distillation products such as petroleum and gasoline would then be increased.”
The most critical part of the project includes the transformation of massive items into light products, Musavi uttered, saying, “It would happen to be an economical phase for less weighty substances bring about more value added while facilitating the refining process.”
ER/IS
END
MNA