Iran Starts Gas Condensate Export to Japan

The National Iranian Oil Company sold its first cargo of gas condensates from South Pars Phases 20 and 21 to Japan, said the managing director of Iran's Oil Terminal Company (IOTC). “A Japanese ultra large crude carrier recently loaded 160,000 barrels of gas condensates," Pirouz Mousavi was quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.

 According to Mousavi, the ULCC left Asaluyeh for Kharg Oil Terminal to load 650,000 barrels of oil before heading for the Asian country. Reportedly, Iran's oil and gas condensates tanker traffic in the Persian Gulf terminals has risen by 50% compared to last year.

Pointing to the heavy traffic of tankers in the main southern terminals, Mousavi said most vessels belong to European oil majors namely France's Total, Russia's Lukoil as well as Asian buyers including China, Japan, South Korea and the UAE.

"As more South Pars Gas Field phases come on stream, condensates in increased volumes will be exported," he said, noting that oil and gas export terminals in the Persian Gulf are operating at full capacit