Ahmad Zeraatkar made the remarks Sunday at a ceremony unveiling and signing the agreements with 22 energy service companies. He said the contracts are the result of six to seven years of joint efforts with the National Iranian Gas Co. and energy-sector stakeholders — a process that began at the concept stage, advanced to the Supreme Energy Council and culminated over the past year with Cabinet approval.

He said the approval was secured with the backing of the president and the oil minister’s confidence in the executive team, underscoring the oil industry — and particularly the gas sector — as a potential driver of sweeping national change.

Zeraatkar added that future processes will differ fundamentally, with most activities in the natural gas sector moving forward, as far as possible, through nongovernmental participation and maximum use of private-sector capacity.

All Iranians Should Share in Energy-Saving Benefits

Zeraatkar said the goal is to involve all Iranians in conserving natural gas, reducing consumption, benefiting from the resulting savings and deepening the natural gas market.

He praised the around-the-clock efforts of those involved in concluding the 22 contracts, specifically thanking Saeid Tavakoli, chief executive of the National Iranian Gas Company, and Saeid Pakseresht, the company’s integrated planning director, for closely overseeing the initiative.

Zeraatkar expressed hope that so-called “Type One” energy service companies will soon enter the operational phase with the backing of the National Iranian Gas Co., leading to even larger developments in the sector.