Bandar Abbas Refinery
Bandar Abbas Refinery is an operating refinery west of Bandar Abbas on Iran’s northern Persian Gulf coast. The profile covers the crude refinery and the Persian Gulf Star gas-condensate units as part of the same broader operations, rather than treating them as separate assets.
Strategic and market-access role
Bandar Abbas Refinery is a high-weight downstream energy asset in the Hormuz Graph because it sits next to Iran’s main Persian Gulf logistics gateway and near the Shahid Rajaee port economy. Its role connects crude and refined-product flows, maritime logistics, industrial services, fuel supply, and sanctions-sensitive procurement chains. Unlike inland refineries, its location in Hormozgan links energy processing with port access, import-export infrastructure, shipping services, and national distribution routes that move materials between the Gulf coast and Iran’s interior markets. The coastal site provides access to Persian Gulf shipping routes for crude intake and refined-product movements, alongside domestic distribution connections.
Operations, capacity & connectivity
Related use cases
Useful for downstream energy analysis, refinery-service market screening, industrial equipment demand mapping, port-linked supply-chain assessment, logistics planning, and sanctions-risk review. Investors and analysts can use it to understand how Bandar Abbas combines refining, port infrastructure, rail freight, warehousing, and national distribution. Any commercial evaluation should verify procurement access, compliance exposure, maintenance demand, environmental constraints, and partner reliability.
Capacity and service area
Capacity: Approximately 350,000 barrels per day of crude refining capacity (2024). Persian Gulf Star gas-condensate units are reported at 360,000 barrels per day of South Pars gas-condensate capacity (2019). These are distinct reported capacities within the broader operations and should not be added together without technical verification. Service area: Iran’s domestic fuel market, with coastal access supporting refined-product exports by sea.
Connected modes
Maritime access via the Persian Gulf, road connections to the national network, and pipelines for crude feedstock and product distribution.
Industries served
Oil refining, fuel supply, petroleum-product distribution, maritime logistics and refinery services.
Ownership, operation & expansion
Owner and operator
Owner: Publicly traded on the Tehran Stock Exchange under ticker شبندر. National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) is reported as a significant shareholder; its exact ownership percentage was not established. Operator: Bandar Abbas Oil Refinery Company (شرکت پالایش نفت بندرعباس), reported as of 2024.
Opening or commissioning
The crude refinery opened in 1997. Persian Gulf Star phase 1 opened in April 2017; phases 2 and 3 were reported completed by early 2019.
Expansion and development projects
Projects have focused on improving gasoline and diesel quality to Euro 4 and Euro 5 standards, increasing higher-value products such as gasoline, and progressing plans to convert the refinery into a petro-refining complex. Current implementation status was not established.
Constraints, risk & compliance
Operational constraints
Commercial engagement requires review of product specifications, feedstock and distribution arrangements, maintenance requirements, and applicable trade and compliance restrictions.
Key risks and compliance considerations
The refinery operates in Iran’s oil and gas sector and is reported to be subject to international, primarily US, sanctions. Counterparties should conduct independent legal, sanctions and export-control due diligence.
Connected Intelligence
Relevant geography, industry, market and execution context for this profile.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions most likely to arise when reviewing this profile.
Who operates Bandar Abbas Refinery?
Bandar Abbas Oil Refinery Company (شرکت پالایش نفت بندرعباس) was reported as the operator in 2024.
What is the reported capacity of Bandar Abbas Refinery?
The crude refinery is reported at approximately 350,000 barrels per day as of 2024. Persian Gulf Star gas-condensate units within the broader operations are separately reported at 360,000 barrels per day as of 2019.
Is Persian Gulf Star Refinery a separate asset from Bandar Abbas Refinery?
No. The evidence pack identifies Persian Gulf Star Refinery as the gas-condensate refining units within broader Bandar Abbas Refinery operations.
What compliance issue is relevant to the refinery?
The refinery is reported to be subject to international, primarily US, sanctions affecting Iran’s oil and gas sector. Any engagement requires independent sanctions, export-control and legal due diligence.