Speaking at a ceremony on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), Bijan Zanganeh said Iran enjoys one of the world’s most extensive gas networks; “at present, around 90 percent of the country’s population are covered by the national gas network while as much as 95 percent of the population will gain access to gas services by the year 2017.”
Oil minister said Iran’s annual gas consumption amounted to 145 billion cubic meters in 2013 while the figure is estimated to hit 284 billion cubic meters by 2017 indicating a twofold rise over four years.
Touching upon the latest status of gas production from South Pars gas field explaining “a total of 130 billion cubic meters of gas were produced at the joint field while the production volume will climb to 236 billion cubic meters in the coming year.”
Zanganeh went on to underline the increase in the country’s gas refining capacity which surged all the way from 31 million cubic meters in 1978 to 548 million cubic meters in 2013 while the figure is scheduled to reach one billion cubic meters in the year to come.
“Gas comprises 70 percent of the country’s energy basket,” highlighted the official stressing “in two years’ time, liquid product will only be exploited by the transport sector and the use of liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene and fuel oil will come to an end.
The member of the Iranian cabinet noted that natural gas will replace liquid fuels in power generation plant.
He referred to the plan to increase gas exports to 200 million cubic meters outlining gas exports to neighboring countries and Iran LNG project as two top priorities in this regard.
The official stated that share of liquid gas in power plants has experienced a downward trend in recent years; “the figure dropped from 27 percent in 2014 to 18 percent in 2015 while it is expected to shrink below 10 percent in the current year.”
Bijan Zanganeh also recalled that financial issues at South Pars complex have been resolved saying “Phases 12, 15, 16 and 17 have been successfully put into operation which altogether added 169 million cubic meters to gas refining capacity as well as 140 million cubic meters to the country’s gas production capacity.”
“South Pars Phases 19, 18, 20 and 21 will become implemented in the current year,” commented the Iranian oil minister concluding “over the past three years, a total of about 300 million cubic meters have been added to daily production capacity of South Pars gas field.”
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