As the world’s largest gas field, South Pars has long served as the backbone of Iran’s energy supply. During peak winter demand, it plays a decisive role in maintaining gas network stability, supplying fuel to power plants and sustaining industrial operations.

Despite entering the second half of its lifespan and facing natural reservoir pressure decline, consecutive production records in the winters of 1403 and 1404 indicate that technical, operational and managerial measures have not only prevented output decline but pushed withdrawal capacity to its highest level in the field’s history.

Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad announced last week that gas withdrawal on the Iranian side of South Pars had reached 730 million cubic meters per day.

In a post on X, Paknejad said: “Despite tough sanctions, my colleagues at South Pars achieved a historic record of 730 million cubic meters of daily gas production, providing reliable support for managing winter 1404 energy demand. This success reflects tireless efforts to keep Iranian homes warm during challenging days.”

Crossing Historic Thresholds

This is not the first production record under the 14th administration. In winter 1403, daily rich gas output climbed progressively to 710, 712, 714 and ultimately 716 million cubic meters.

The upward trend continued in 1404. After registering outputs of 718, 722, 723, 725 and 727 million cubic meters per day, production peaked at 730 million cubic meters in Bahman 1404 — marking a new two-decade high.

The milestone reflects maximum utilization of production capacity during peak demand and underscores South Pars’ critical role in national gas network stability.

Industry officials attributed the record to coordinated efforts, including overhauls and the commissioning of 14 new wells.

Battling Pressure Decline

The production surge comes despite natural reservoir pressure decline that would typically reduce output. However, targeted actions — including overhauls, new drilling and equipment upgrades — stabilized and increased production.

Offshore Efficiency Gains

In 1404, major overhauls were completed on 35 offshore platforms in 179 days, involving approximately 160,000 work-hours and more than 16,000 operational work orders.

By comparison, 33 platforms underwent overhauls in 207 days in 1403. The shorter overhaul period resulted in an additional 1.5 billion cubic meters of rich gas recovery and increased daily gas delivery to the national grid by the equivalent of 21 million cubic meters.

The performance demonstrated that significant efficiency gains can be achieved without large-scale development investments — a crucial strategy amid financial constraints.

Phase 11 Production Doubles

Development of Phase 11, the last previously undeveloped phase of South Pars, accelerated under the current administration.

Daily rich gas production from Phase 11 exceeded 12 million cubic meters by late Mordad 1403. With the 10th well (SPD11B) entering production, output rose to 24.3 million cubic meters per day (858 MMcf/d), representing more than 100% growth.

Completion of the latest well added over 2 million cubic meters per day.

Infill Wells Boost Capacity

Full commissioning of four infill wells increased daily withdrawal capacity by about 7 million cubic meters. Two additional wells drilled and completed in recent months added 3.5 million cubic meters per day.

Though modest relative to total field output, the additions are strategically significant for offsetting natural decline — comparable to production from a small onshore gas field.

Phase 13 Gains

A new well brought online in Phase 13 increased daily production by more than 1.5 million cubic meters (60 MMcf/d).

Extensive acidizing operations on three wells at platform SPD13B further improved flow conditions and production performance.

Phase 14 Resilience

Two new wells in Phase 14 added roughly 4 million cubic meters per day.

The Phase 14 refinery sustained damage during an attack on Iran’s energy infrastructure. However, technical teams swiftly contained the impact and initiated restoration, enabling a rapid return to production.

Officials cited the sector’s operational resilience and domestic engineering capabilities.

Phase 16 Stability Measures

Well safety enhancements and commissioning of the onshore section of a new pipeline in Phase 16 strengthened production stability and gas transfer reliability.

Expanded Drilling Fleet

The number of drilling rigs deployed at South Pars more than doubled, reaching 10 units — accelerating well completion and capacity growth.

Equipment Optimization

Redesign and replacement of a choke valve cage at platform SPD19B increased gas withdrawal by 30 MMcf/d across platforms 19A and 19B. Similar upgrades are planned for other wells.

14 New Wells Online

Over the past 15 months, focus on completing previously unfinished wells created approximately 25 million cubic meters per day of stable production capacity.

In total, 14 new wells — including infill and development wells across Phases 11, 13 and 14 — were commissioned, adding about 25 million cubic meters per day.

The additions helped offset natural decline, sustain winter supply, improve the national energy balance and reduce the risk of consumption restrictions across residential, industrial and power generation sectors.