"Current gasoline output amounts to 78 million liters per day, yet it will experience a hike in the coming months as refineries' overhaul operations are being completed," Alireza Sadeqabadi was also quoted as saying by Shana, the National Iranian Oil Company's news agency.
According to the official, the timeframe for processing complexes to be overhauled has reduced notably and the operations cost less, as not only the technology but also the equipment have been indigenized.
"A comprehensive overhaul of refineries, including the renovation of decades-old infrastructures and investments, is needed to increase output," he said, adding that unprecedented technical problems have delayed some operations.
According to Financial Tribune, the official noted that the partial launch of the Persian Gulf Star Refinery's second phase helped NIORDC fulfill its pledge to raise production.
PGSR is being developed in three phases with a combined processing capacity of 360,000 barrels per day of condensate, a type of ultra light crude extracted from the giant South Pars Gas Field in the Persian Gulf.
Sadeqabadi noted that once fully operational, the refinery will produce 36 million liters of high-octane gasoline as part of efforts to wean Iran away from its import.
The first phase of the refinery is in full swing and its Euro-4 and -5 gasoline is being supplied to mega cities, helping reduce high gasoline imports in recent months.
"The second phase partially became operational by the end of the last fiscal and is planned for official inauguration by President Hassan Rouhani soon," he said.
"The third phase will go on stream by the end of the year," he added.
According to the NIORDC chief, PGSR has also helped reduce dependence on imports.
"The country needed 80 ml/d of gasoline on average in 2017, of which 15 to 20 million liters had to be imported. However, the refineries' implementation has so far reduced imports to 9 ml/d," he said.