Javad Hosseinian said that Iran consumes about 65 million liters of gasoline, "which if the current trend continues the rate will top 30 million litters in 20 years."

"This means that if the consumption is continued then there would be no oil remaining for exports and "we may have to be importers of oil."

The growth rate of gasoline consumption in Iran averages 10 percent each year, "which is four times the word's average."

Other experts have also sounded alarm on the gasoline use. An official said here in April that given the current rate of consumption, gasoline import may top dlrs seven billion by the end of the fourth five-year development plan (March 2005-2010).

Managing Director of Energy Consumption Optimization Organization Mohammad Sadeqzadeh said the amount of energy production has risen significantly in recent years to meet the domestic demand.

However, due to neglect of various aspects in the sector including up-to-date technology, efficient energy consumption and financing of project, the situation has become alarming, he added.