Iran decries heavy domestic oil product consumption
TEHRAN, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Iran's consumption of oil products exceeds
international norms by an order of 10, forcing it to import six million
litres of gasoline per day, the official IRNA news agency said on Thursday.
IRNA quoted deputy oil minister Ali Aqababaei as saying average daily
consumption of oil products was estimated at 46 million litres, enough
to put the country on a par with India, which has more than 12 times the
population.
Aqababaei said ``irregular'' consumption of gasoline required Iran,
the second biggest oil producer in OPEC, to import six million litres a
day to keep pace with demand.
Aqababaei, who is also managing director of the state oil products distribution
company, blamed what he called ``unconventional fuel consumption'' for
the huge demand.
Petrol in Iran is heavily subsidised and periodic government attempts
to raise prices in order to limit demand and ease the burden on the budget
are generally beaten back by a parliament fearful of public reaction.
Officials also blame outmoded passenger cars -- the primary model is
based on 1960's technology once imported from Britain -- as well as smuggling
and outright waste for heavy petrol demand.
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