Iran expands Caspian swaps pipeline.(Caspian Sea, oil pipeline)

Iran will complete a 70,000 b/d capacity expansion to more than double throughputs on its Neka-Tehran crude pipeline by the end of September, says a senior oil ministry official.

Capacity on the 340km, 32-inch (80cm) pipeline from Iran's Caspian port of Neka previously stood at just 50,000 b/d. But the expansion, which includes construction of four pumping stations, will allow for an extra 70,000 b/d of Caspian and Russian crude to be supplied to two key Iranian refineries, the 250,000 b/d Tehran and 100,000 b/d Tabriz plants, in the north of the country.

Iran is in the process of testing pressure at the pumping stations before declaring work complete. …