Iran gas consumption down amid protests

TEHRAN, June 22 (UPI) -- The national oil refining company in Iran reports a 5 percent decline in the average consumption rate of gas in the wake of the disputed presidential election.

The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distributing Co. found from June 12 to June 19, the average daily consumption of gasoline fell 850,000 gallons to 15.9 million gallons per day compared with the prior week, the Petroenergy Information Network reports.

Iran enacted gasoline consumption rationing in an effort to control imports. Despite Iran holding some of the largest natural gas deposits in the world, the country is forced to import gasoline to make up for inadequate refining capacity.

Tehran in June 2008 implemented the rationing system and in May called for restrictions on personal vehicle usage in what it said was an effort to alleviate traffic congestion.

The PIN report says the decline in consumption rates was attributed to the rationing schemes. Consumption rates, the report says, would approach 22.5 million gallons per day without the restrictions.

Iran, meanwhile, was rocked with street protests over the disputed June 12 presidential election, though the report makes no mention of the demonstrations.