Iran Starts Production of New Extra-Heavy Crude Oil

Iran now has access to new technology to produce specific crude oils, including extra-light, light, heavy and extra-heavy crudes, using new pipelines and refinery installations in Western Karoun.

The gravity degree of the new extra-heavy oil, also called Persian oil, is 20 and is produced in the oil fields in Western Karoun, specially South and North Azadegan fields.

Iran now enjoys the most variety in oil production with 8 types of light and heavy crudes.

Iran has an advantage in global markets due to its range of petroleum products. Oil from the Hengam oil and gas field is the lightest in the world, while the oil from other fields in the Persian Gulf, such as Soroush, Nowruz, and Forouzan, are among the heavy brands.

The development of new phases in the South Pars field gives Iran substantial capacity to produce gas condensate, a product which can be combined with heavy – and even extra heavy – crude oil.

The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) announced earlier this month that Iran’s crude oil and gas condensate exports reached 2.75 million barrels per day in the period between April 21 and May 21.

The company said export cargoes were headed to Asian and European markets during the period.

The country exported 2.45 mbd of crude oil and 300,000 b/d of gas condensate during the month.

One third of the exports (over 800,000 b/d) were destined to Europe during the period, NIOC said.

China and India, as usual, were Iran’s biggest buyers.