Iran repairs pivotal crude oil pipeline

Tehran — A ruptured pipeline arterial to Iran's refining system has been repaired but yet to become operational again, the oil ministry news service reported Dec. 14.

The Marun-Isfahan conduit broke Dec. 13 and caused a vast fire in the southwest of the country where the 430-km pipe takes around 550,000 b/d of crude from the oil-rich region of Khuzestan to Isfahan oil refinery.

"Fire caused from crude oil flow in the Marun pipeline accident has been completely contained and the damaged part was repaired," Qasem Arab Yarmohammadi, managing director of the state-run Oil Pipeline and Telecommunication Co. was quoted as saying.

"After necessary investigations and measures, the pipeline will soon become operational," Arab Yarmohammadi said.

Officials have not clarified the situation of the possibly affected refineries and oil production facilities.