Despite exceptional demand from household and commercial sectors, the ministry sustained reliable energy supply through precise planning, continuous gas flow monitoring, and smart production and distribution of liquid fuels. Even as daily gas consumption in the household and commercial sectors reached a record 737 million cubic meters, no household gas outages were reported.

A key factor behind the performance was pre-winter preparation. Major overhauls at refineries, transmission pipelines and critical network equipment were completed ahead of the cold season to boost operational readiness. At the same time, power plant diesel reserves were optimized through proactive management. This preventive strategy ensured gas infrastructure operated at full capacity during peak demand. The experience underscored the decisive role of timely maintenance investment in reducing risk and safeguarding energy security.

To guarantee stability in winter 1404, more than 724 kilometers of new pipelines were commissioned, and over 1,100 critical points in the national gas transmission network underwent rehabilitation. The program also included leak detection along 39,000 kilometers of pipelines and major repairs on 43 turbines. Around-the-clock efforts by operational staff, along with capacity upgrades at strategic facilities such as Ramsar, provided a secure foundation for steady gas distribution nationwide.

Notably, the extensive maintenance campaign did not interrupt gas deliveries to power plants during the warm season. The overlap reflected integrated planning, interdepartmental coordination within the Oil Ministry, and the technical capability of the country’s specialists — factors that sustained production stability year-round.

Gas Transmission Network: The Hidden Pillar of Stability

The Iranian Gas Transmission Company carried out wide-ranging technical and corrective operations to enhance network resilience. These measures included pipeline repairs, turbine refurbishments, large-scale leak detection, pipeline coating replacement, and activation of new transmission routes to prevent pressure drops. Maintenance at sensitive nodes and heightened readiness among operational teams kept the network running smoothly, even during the coldest days.

Year-over-year comparisons indicate significant progress in network development and performance. While severe cold in previous years occasionally led to pressure declines, this winter saw stable gas flow despite higher consumption and network expansion.

Upstream capacity also increased. A historic record of 730 million cubic meters of daily gas production was registered at the South Pars joint field. During peak demand days, more than 886 million cubic meters of sweet gas entered the national grid. The gains reflected field development, improved operational processes, and sustained workforce efforts.

Gas storage at Sarajeh and Shourijeh complemented production and supported network reliability. Higher injection volumes enabled rapid response to demand fluctuations, strengthening supply stability, particularly in sensitive regions.

Record High Power Plant Fuel Reserves

Reliable fuel supply to power plants remained another critical pillar of electricity network stability. The Oil Ministry and the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company began work under the 14th administration amid sharply reduced liquid fuel reserves at power plants. Declines in diesel and fuel oil stocks, coupled with rising electricity demand and seasonal gas constraints, placed energy management under strain.

Subsequent measures not only stabilized the situation but also led to unprecedented records. At the start of the 14th administration in early September 1403, power plant diesel reserves stood at 1.81 billion liters, down 43% from 3.174 billion liters a year earlier. Following recovery efforts and a challenging winter in 1403, reserves climbed to more than 3.4 billion liters by Aban 1404 — exceeding 90% of total storage capacity. The level marked an 86% increase compared with the 1403 peak and a 6% rise over the 1402 high.

Average daily diesel deliveries to power plants reached about 58 million liters in Dey 1404, up more than 7% from 54 million liters in Dey 1403. The figure was also 38% higher than the previous delivery peak of 42 million liters recorded in Azar 1401.

Overall, average daily liquid fuel deliveries to power plants during the cold months were about 53 million liters. In late Azar, daily diesel consumption at power plants hit 112 million liters, managed without disruption to electricity generation thanks to available reserves.

Increased Refinery Throughput and Output

Higher crude and condensate feedstock, along with stabilized refining capacity, marked a key step toward reducing fuel imbalances and maximizing refinery utilization. Feedstock intake rose 4% to about 2.37 million barrels per day, enabling fuller use of refining capabilities.

In parallel, diesel production increased 4% — equivalent to 4 million liters per day — in the first 16 months of the current administration compared with the final 16 months of the previous government. The rise helped ease product imbalances and reduced pressure on the distribution network.