Hosseini said Iran Energy Exchange is to start trading crude oil on April 6.

He added that 3,000 b/d of crude oil will be initially supplied by the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).

“The necessary marketing for crude oil has been done and several private refineries have voiced their readiness to buy crude oil,” said Hosseini.

He gave a positive assessment of the domestic crude oil trading market, saying Petroleum Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh is seriously supporting the process.

Hosseini said Petroleum Ministry is to establish the necessary infrastructure at Isfahan and Bandar Abbas refineries for facilitating crude oil trading.