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BORC refinery | Credit: BORC Linkedin page

Bandar Abbas Oil Refinery (BORC) is one of Iran’s largest and most technologically advanced oil refineries, situated approximately 20 kilometers west of Bandar Abbas city on the northern shores of the Persian Gulf, Hormozgan Province. Current Capacity is 350,000 barrels per day (bpd) crude oil and condensate (originally 232,000 bpd, expanded in 2008 and optimized in 2012–2013).

Feed and Utilities

• Feedstock: Primarily heavy crude oil (300,000 bpd), with light crude from Hengam Island (20,000 bpd) and gas condensates from Sarkhun (30,000 bpd)​
• Natural Gas: ~90,000 Nm³/hr from national pipeline and regional sources​
• Water: 30,000 m³/hr sourced from Persian Gulf seawater, via three 56-inch pipelines

Operational Focus

• Products: Motor gasoline, LPG, jet fuel, kerosene, diesel, fuel oil, tar, granulated sulfur​
• Largest gasoline and visbreaking facility in Iran, with modern CCR unit​
• Refines some of the heaviest and most challenging crude oils in the Middle East​
• Supplies around 18% of Iran’s total refined oil products

Main Process Units

• Atmospheric Distillation:
  • ADUs + Condensate Splitter: Up to 350,000 bpd crude oil (multiple trains; open art technology)​. Exact capacity not individually disclosed.​
• Vacuum Distillation Units (VDU):
  • Capacity: 12,077 bpd (for bottoms; open art)​
  • Used for residue upgrading and further conversion
• Hydrotreating Units:
  • Heavy Naphtha Treating (HNHT): 25,000 bpd
  • Light Naphtha Treating (LNHT): 16,000 bpd
  • Kerosene Hydrotreater (KHT): 17,730 bpd
  • Gas Oil Hydrotreater (GHT): 50,000 bpd
  • Licensor: AXENS (France)​
• Isomerization Unit:
  • Capacity: 16,000 bpd
  • Licensor: AXENS​
• Catalytic Reformer (CRU, Continuous CCR):
  • CCR unit: 25,000 bpd
  • Licensor: AXENS​
• Visbreaker:
  • Converts vacuum residue to lighter products (capacity included in totals)​
• Isomax Unit (Hydrocracker):
  • Converts heavier fractions to lighter fuel (capacity included in totals)​
• LPG Recovery Unit:
  • Recovers propane, butane, and LPG from atmospheric and vacuum streams​
• Sulfur Recovery (SRU):
  • 120–250 tonnes/day (solidification by PIDEC, ZG15™ trains)​
• Amine Treating, Sour Water Stripper, Utilities, H₂ Production:
  • Essential for treating sour streams and supporting hydroprocessing.

References

1. Kazemi, S. (2017). National Iranian Oil Refining & Distribution Company (NIORDC). Proceedings of JCCP Symposium. https://www.jccp.or.jp/international/conference/docs/2%20JCCP%20SYMPOSIUM%202017%20Final%20Kazemi.pdf​
2. NIORDC. (2020). Refineries. NIORDC Official Website. https://www.niordc.ir/en-US/portal/5348/page/-Refineries​
3. Karajet. (2007). Bandar Abbas Oil Refinery. https://karajet.com/Bandar-Abbas-Oil-Refinery​
4. Wikipedia. (2025). Bandar Abbas Oil Refinery. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandar_Abbas_Oil_Refinery​
5. Energypress Iran. (2025). Get to know one of the most modern refineries in Iran, Bandar Abbas Oil Refinery. https://energypress.ir/en/get-to-know-one-of-the-most-modern-refineries-in-iran-bandar-abbas-oil-refinery/​
6. SULF Iran. (n.d.). Bandar Abbas Oil Refinery. https://www.sulf.ir/Projects/Portfolio/BandarAbbas/​
7. LinkedIn. (2025). Understanding Open Art and Licensed Process Units in Refinery Projects. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/afroz-diwan-a2565a27_process-refinery-projects-activity-7329774581303472129-QZ4z​
8. MEES. (2025). Iran Plans Additional 180,000 b/d Condensate Splitter Capacity. https://www.mees.com/2025/9/5/news-in-brief/iran-plans-additional-180000-bd-condensate-splitter-capacity/b21e35d0-8a58-11f0-ba5c-c70e75ee1579​
9. Offshore Technology. (2024). Bandar Abbas II condensate splitter refinery, Iran. https://www.offshore-technology.com/data-insights/bandar-abbas-ii-refinery-condensate-splitter-iran/