Gasoline Consumption Soars

Domestic gasoline consumption has reached an average of 86 million liters per day as of August 23, showing an 8% rise compared with last year's corresponding period, the deputy head of National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said.  "Although consumption of gasoline registered an unexpected peak in July at 85 ml/d, the figure is still soaring," Shahrokh Khosravani was also quoted as saying by ISNA on Monday. According to the official, gasoline consumption in July experienced a 9% increase compared to previous months when Iranians on average consumed 74 ml/d.  Khosravani noted that average gasoline use since March has stood at 81 ml/d, indicating an 8% increase compared with the same period of last year. Asked about diesel, he noted that the fuel's consumption since the beginning of the fiscal has witnessed a 5% rise compared to that of last year's. On exporting petroleum byproducts, Khosravani said the country exports 450,000 barrels of oil derivatives per day, which can jump up to 600,000 barrels a day.