Ziar made the remarks in the press conference of the 18th International Oil, Gas, Refining, and Petrochemical Exhibition.

He added that in 2010 the average age of pipeline network was almost 35 years but the number decreased to nearly 30 years after adding new pipelines to the network in 2011 and 2012. Ziar said this number would be further reduced in 2013 and reach less than 30 years.

Referring to connecting electric power plants to pipeline networks in the country, Ziar said, “Given the country’s vast gas reserves, natural gas will replace liquid petroleum as the fuel of the power plant and fuel will be transferred to the plants via pipelines.”

He added that power stations that building pipelines for them is not economically sound would be fed through rail transport and other methods.

“Last year 4 billion liters of fuel products were transferred to the country’s power plants through pipelines,” the Iranian official said.

Ziar said four power plants are scheduled to be connected to the country’s pipeline networks, adding that, “Given the increase in the country’s gas production, all power plants will use gas and therefore fuel oil and petroleum gas used in these plants could be exported.

Ziar added that those power plants that are not located on pipeline routes would not be connected to the network.

Allocating 21,292 billion rials to projects
Ali Ziar, Managing Director of Iranian Oil Pipeline and Telecommunication Company (IOPTC), said the company’s projects to be implemented in the current year included pig running (using pipeline inspection gauges) more than 6,000 kilometers of pipeline, building Farashband-Shiraz gas condensates pipeline, constructing Tabriz-Khoi- Urmia oil pipeline to transfer fuel to the country’s northwestern parts, and constructing Abadan-Rey 26-inch pipeline.

He said required investment for these projects amounted to 21292 billion rials, adding that, “Constructing Sabzaab sour crude oil pipeline in Tehran, building Sari crude surge tanks and Naeen-Kashan-Rey 20-inch pipeline are among other projects that will be implemented in 92.”