Iran will shut a crude oil distillation unit at its Abadan refinery in October for planned maintenance work, Press TV said on its Web site, citing a Reuters report.

Repair works at the 180,000 barrel-a-day crude distillation unit will take place for 30 days to 40 days at the Abadan refinery, the country's largest, the report said, citing an unidentified official from state-owned National Iranian Oil Co.

Iran may import gasoline and diesel to cover shortfalls from the shutdown, according to the report.

The Middle East nation has announced plans to boost its refining capacity to 3.3 million barrels a day in 2012 from 1.56 million barrels a day, Press TV said.

The Abadan refinery can process 450,000 barrels of oil a day, and is located in the southwestern province of Khuzestan at the delta of Arvand River near the Persian Gulf, Press TV said.