Iran to restore 80% of damaged refining capacity in two months: Deputy min.
Iran expects to restore nearly all damaged refining and distribution facilities to 70–80% of their pre-attack capacity within one to two months, a senior oil official said, as authorities work to recover from strikes on energy infrastructure.
Deputy Oil Minister Mohammad Sadeq Azimifar told Iran's Student News Network (SNN) that repair work had begun at most sites, adding that part of the Lavan refinery is expected to resume operations within about 10 days, with other units coming back online gradually.
Azimifar, who also serves as managing director of Iran's Oil Refining and Distribution Company, said reconstruction work has started at nearly all oil refining facilities damaged during the US-Israeli military conflict, with efforts underway to restore transfer and storage infrastructure.
"For example, at the Shahr-e Rey oil depot (in Tehran Province), nearly 2,000 workers are engaged in restoring transfer and storage facilities," he said.
He added that at most damaged refining and distribution facilities, Iran can return to 70-80% of pre-war capacity within one to two months, and in a medium- to long-term phase, can reach 100% of pre-attack capacity.
Refining industry hit across entire supply chain
"The refining industry has been targeted by enemies from the beginning of the war (on February 28). Our entire chain in refineries, transmission lines, oil depots and aircraft refueling facilities were attacked, and during the war, our facilities across the country were repeatedly targeted," Azimifar said.
"One of the facilities that was attacked after the ceasefire (on Wednesday) was the Lavan refinery complex. A restoration program was urgently developed in several phases so that despite the damage to the refinery facilities, we could bring it back into production as quickly as possible," he added.
"Various teams have now been deployed for debris removal and replacement of damaged equipment. Within about 10 days, we will commission part of the refinery, and other sections of the refinery will be brought into production in a phased manner," Azimifar said.