Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Iran does not leave any attempts to increase its role as a transit state to export hydrocarbons from Caspian countries.

NIORDC Oil Processing Department Director under Ministry of Oil of Iran Amin Eskenderi said that on Thursday, at second oil trade and transport conference in Baku, Iran is interested in oil deliveries of Caspian countries through its territory to Persian Gulf market.

“Caspian oil export volumes according to forecasts, will grow in 2020 comparing to last year 2.3 fold and total 4.654 barrels per day. At the same time oil export from Azerbaijan in 2020 is forecasted at the level of 1.253 million barrels per day, from Kazakhstan – 2.998 million barrels per day, Turkmenistan – 0.078 million bpd, Russia – 0.325 million bpd,” A.Eskenderi said.

At the same time he noted that is there are several export routes in Caspian region then there will be several keeping factors for Caspian oil export.

“In connection with sufficient distance between the region and international export terminals, a necessity for transporting growing Caspian oil volumes, increase of existing pipeline capacities (CPC, BTC), the countries of the region are not recommended to exclude Iran as attractive way to international markets and reliable partner,” A.Eskenderi said.

To receive big oil volumes from Caspian region Iran plans to increase Neka port capacity and construction of Neka-Jask oil pipeline.

“Neka-Jask pipeline capacity will total 1 million bpd and length – 1,560 km. The pipeline will connect Caspian Sea with Oman Gulf and allow Caspian countries and companies operating here to present on Persian Gulf international market. It will also allow to transport oil to all countries bounding with Iran at East. Besides, oil transportation tariff by this pipeline will make only $45 per ton while oil transportation tariff by BTC makes $75 per ton, by Baku-Batumi-Kulevi railway $73 per tons, by CPC $55 per ton,” A.Eskenderi said.

In his opinion, the pipeline will be in a great demand because Jask port is the nearest port to international free waterway, comfortable for oil deliveries to India, China and other markets and to be taken into account in geopolitical plan in the region.

Basic project works on construction of Neka-Jask oil pipeline, ecologic study have been already launched. Talks on attracting the volumes are held. Neka port development plan supposes increase of its capacity from present 17.2 million tons of oil up to 25 million tons by 2015.

“Storage capacities in Neka will be increased up to 2.5 million barrels from current 1.5 million barrels and channel dredging will allow to receive tankers at deadweight from 14,000 tons up to 63,000 tons versus current 5-7,000 tons,” A.Eskenderi said.

Iran is interested not only in Caspian oil transportation through its territory, but also its processing at own oil refineries.

“At present Iran has nine oil refineries with total capacity 1.760 million barrels a day. As of our calculations, three of them are avle to receive totally 350,000 barrels of Caspian oil a day including Tebriz oil refinery 80,000 bpd, Isfakhan 150,000 bpd, Teheran 120,000 bpd,” Representative of Iranian Company underlined.

At the same time it is planned to construct seven new oil refineries with total capacity 1.59 million barrels of oil a day, Shakhriyar oil refinery of which with capacity 150,000 bpd and Caspian refinery with capacity 300,000 bpd are supposed for oil from Caspian region.

24.04.2008 17:38