Alikhani told reporters that 40 platforms should be installed in South Pars gas field. “The platform of phase 21 will be the 21st  platform of South Pars which will be installed once climatic conditions are ripe.”

He said plans are made for installation and operation of six platforms in South Pars field by end of the year and said platform 19A was fixed last week and once the platform 21 is installed, four more platforms, namely B18, B17, B19 and B20 will be fixed based on schedule.

The official said for the time being, 415 to 430 million cubic meters of gas is extracted from South Pars.

“Once the aforementioned six platforms are installed, about 100 to 110 million cubic meters a day gas will be added to daily extraction recovery from South Pars gas field.”

He said hence, with operation of the platforms by end of this year, total gas extraction will reach 530 to 540 million cubic meters a day.