Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad made the remarks on Wednesday, during a visit to the NIGC’s dispatching center. Referring to nationwide weather conditions, he said the country is experiencing a significant cold spell, with noticeable temperature drops across many regions.

Paknejad said colder temperatures mean fuel supply teams — in both natural gas and liquefied gas for industries and power plants — must manage and deliver larger volumes of gas to the household, commercial and small industrial sectors. As a result, he said, less gas is supplied to power plants and major industries to ensure overall stability of the national gas network.

High Injection Levels Sustain Network Stability

Expressing appreciation for gas industry workers, Paknejad said the stability of the network is the result of efforts by staff at the National Iranian Gas Co.’s dispatching center. He said daily light gas injection into the grid has reached 877 million cubic meters, calling the figure “very high.”

He added that the gas is produced upstream by the National Iranian Oil Company, noting an increase in gas production. After processing at refineries, the gas is injected into the grid as sweet gas.

Paknejad also said gas storage levels have risen compared with last year. He said new records have been set at the Sarajeh and Shourijeh storage facilities, with total stored gas up about 20% year over year. That increase, he said, will allow for significantly higher withdrawals — particularly from the Shourijeh reservoir — during the current year.

Call for Responsible Gas Consumption

Emphasizing that supplying households and commercial users remains the top priority, Paknejad said ensuring gas delivery to households, commercial centers and small industries is a “red line” for the ministry.

He urged the public to help by using gas responsibly, stressing that optimal consumption does not mean using less, but using energy correctly and rationally. He said comfort temperatures can be maintained at home while limiting heating to necessary spaces.

Paknejad said simple measures can help gas industry workers who are working around the clock to maintain network stability, adding that such cooperation will help the country get through the cold spell without gas outages — something he said is not expected to occur.

He noted that managing the gas network involves significant, often unseen challenges. Dispatching teams, he said, maintain constant communication with regions nationwide as well as headquarters and operational managers, while monitoring the network in real time.

Stability Driven by Expertise, Not Excess Supply

Paknejad said network stability does not mean gas supply is unlimited, but rather that the system is being managed professionally. Despite pressure drops in some areas, he said, none resulted in gas cuts — a result he credited to the expertise and dedication of NIGC employees.

He concluded by saying public cooperation during cold days and nights plays a critical role in maintaining the stability of Iran’s gas network.