The plan was reviewed and approved during an Economic Council meeting chaired by First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref, according to the government’s official website.

Aref stressed the importance of advancing strategic energy projects, saying the plan should move forward swiftly and seriously through cooperation between the Oil Ministry and the Plan and Budget Organization to meet the country’s energy needs.

Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said oil industry officials had worked closely with the Plan and Budget Organization and other executive bodies to prepare the proposal and submit it to the Economic Council in the shortest possible time and within an acceptable framework.

The project is designed to maintain South Pars’ production capacity and increase recovery of gas and condensates. It will involve construction of pressure-boosting complexes, including compression platforms, power-generation platforms, accommodation platforms and related offshore pipeline infrastructure.

The council also approved changes to a project to build a petroleum products pipeline from Mehraran through Fasa to Shiraz, along with related facilities. The project aims to reduce fuel tanker traffic in Fars province and cut diesel consumption.

In addition, the council approved revisions to a project for a petroleum products pipeline from Rafsanjan to Yazd and related facilities, as well as a plan to expand storage tanks, administrative and operational buildings, and supporting facilities operated by the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company.