Iran Announces Restoration of Production Capacity at South Pars Refinery

Sana'a: The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) announced the restoration of production capacity at the damaged refineries in the South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf, following the completion of debris removal operations and the clearing of destroyed equipment from the refinery sites. According to Yemen News Agency, the company's deputy director, Alikhani, stated that the debris removal operations at the damaged refineries took approximately two months, given the extensive damage to equipment and facilities. He explained that the amount of debris at each refinery reached approximately 4,000 tons, including pieces of iron and shattered or melted and scattered equipment, noting that collecting and removing it was a complex and difficult process. He added that some of the towers damaged during the US attack, some weighing between 400 and 500 tons, collapsed inside the refineries and rested on top of pipes and equipment, further complicating the debris removal and rehabilitation of the facilities. Alikha ni noted that some of the pipelines and towers contained sour gas, necessitating precautionary measures during the dismantling and removal operations to prevent leaks and the potential for difficult-to-control consequences. He affirmed that the company has gradually compensated for the shortfall in production capacity by restarting production units in phases, ultimately restoring current production levels. The deputy director of the National Iranian Oil Company emphasized that work is ongoing to restore further production capacity, explaining that the plan calls for bringing one or two additional production lines online by next March, which will contribute to boosting the production capacity of the affected refineries.