Iranian Petroleum Minister Javad Owji said on Sunday that Iran has started refining its crude oil in Venezuela, SHANA news agency affiliated to his ministry reported.
Iran had started processing some 100,000 barrels per day of its crude in Venezuela's El Palito refinery, Owji was quoted by SHANA as saying.
"This was a long-standing and 43-year-old dream that was realized through the efforts of my colleagues at the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC)," he said.
Jalil Salari, head of NIORDC, said on Sunday that efforts are underway to expand Iran's refinery operation in overseas projects.
According to Press TV, Iran signed a 116-million-U.S. dollar contract with Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA in May to repair and expand the refinery.
Editor: Leon
