Iran is fully prepared to build small oil refineries in other countries should they show interest, Oil Ministry spokesman says.

Alireza Nikzad Rahbar said on Tuesday that Tehranhas already signed agreements with Baghdadunder which Iranis to build several refineries in Iraq.

Iraq's Oil Ministry announced in May 2007 that it had invited Iranian firms to build at least four oil refineries across the country to help it overcome chronic fuel shortages.

Iraq reportedly plans to construct an oil refinery in the town of Nahrain, just south of Baghdad, with a capacity of 140,000 barrels per day. The second refinery will be built in the town of Kuya, and is projected to yield 70,000 bpd.

Iraq also plans to build a refinery in the city ofNassiriya, situated 365 kilometers (226 miles) south ofBaghdad, for export purposes with a capacity of 300,000 bpd and another in Amara, located 300 kilometers (185 miles) southeast ofBaghdad.



Soran Ali