TEHRAN -- About $1.85 billion worth of oil products have been exported by the international department of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) over the first seven months of the current Iranian year (started March 21) showing a 35 percent rise compared to similar period last year.

According to NIOC's press release here on Wednesday, the exported oil products included furnace oil, naphtha, gas oil, liquid gas, white petroleum and ship fuel.

It announced that meanwhile, a 26 percent boost has been observed in the value of furnace oil, while that of gas oil and kerosene amounted to 39 and 82 percent respectively. Pointing out that the volume of exported oil over the same period has almost doubled compared to the similar period of last year, he added, "The average price of each ton of kerosene is down by three percent compared to the year before, which is compensated by hike in volume."

According to the report, the export of liquid gas condensate from the second and third phases of South Pars gas field has been underway since April 21, 2002.

"The volume of ship fuel shows a drop compared to the same period last year, while a boost in its value is observed. The boost in the export of furnace oil has led to a drop in the volume of ship fuel export," he added.

As far as import of petrol worth $400 million without including the MTBE expenses is concerned, he mentioned that a 28 percent boost is observed compared to last year.

"Besides, around 9.5 million liters of petrol were imported daily to Iran, which outnumbers last year's figure of seven million, over the same period, by 36 percent," he cited.

He emphasized that according to the ratified budget, the import cost of oil products consisting mainly of petrol and its additive known as MTBE, are paid by oil revenues. "Therefore, the higher the import of petrol and its related additive, owing to the unprecedented increase in consumption, the lower the proceeds from export of oil products." End