Ahmad Emtehani said the region held six operational drills and carried out 23 high-risk operations without incident during that period. He also cited fire-risk assessment studies, 100% completion of periodic employee medical checkups, the launch of a safety-gap assessment project, and the start of ISO 45003 implementation as key health, safety and environment (HSE) measures taken this year.

Emtehani pointed to a gas supply imbalance in the country's northeast, worsened by lost capacity at South Pars refineries, saying it has made immediate and medium-term measures more urgent. He said completing the country's eastern ring — through the Sarbisheh-Nehbandan pipeline — and finishing a reinforcement line south of Mashhad are priorities for this year.

He added that a second phase of the Shourijeh storage project is planned for the medium term, while a nationwide 11th transmission line is planned longer-term to boost the network's stability and resilience.

Pipeline Right-of-Way Protection

Emtehani listed pipeline right-of-way protection as another regional priority, saying crews have inspected roughly 30,000 kilometers of pipeline corridors since the start of the year — meaning each regional line has been monitored more than five times on average.

He said the region has issued violation notices to encroachers, resolved identified violations, formed a right-of-way clearance task force, and strengthened coordination with executive, police and security agencies to reduce related risks. He added that pipeline class changes have been finalized in three villages in North Khorasan province, with three more villages currently under risk assessment.

Gas Savings of About 1.6 mcm

On efforts to optimize operations and conserve national resources, Emtehani said a revised pigging (pipeline-cleaning) schedule this year was among the most effective continuous-improvement measures. By reprioritizing the program, the number of lines slated for pigging was cut from 29 to seven top-priority lines, with operations now based strictly on network priorities and emergency conditions.

He said the change saved an estimated 1.6 million cubic meters of gas — calling it an important economic and operational achievement in resource management.

Emtehani also highlighted new technologies and knowledge-based capabilities, citing the use of nanomaterials for valve cleaning, backup equipment design, network monitoring system development, an AI-based attendance system, smart license-plate readers, and new HSED management software — all aimed at boosting efficiency, cutting costs, improving safety and preserving institutional knowledge.

Looking ahead, he outlined upcoming plans including a 25,000-hour major overhaul of a turbine unit, repair of an emergency power generator, activation of two backup generators at operational centers, construction of a pressure-control station north of Mashhad, connecting the new Nehbandan-Sarbisheh line to existing lines at four points, replacing 2,500 meters of pipeline coating, and further pigging operations — all meant to boost network readiness in coming months.

Role of Transmission Regions

Emtehani said operational regions are on the front line of the gas transmission company's mission, with a role that is strategic as well as executional. He said Region 4, as a key region in eastern Iran, plays a direct role in network stability and reliable energy supply to residential, industrial and power-plant customers through precise gas-flow management, pressure-boosting station coordination, continuous pipeline monitoring and round-the-clock readiness — particularly amid challenges including seasonal imbalances, parts-supply constraints, peak-demand stability needs and HSE sensitivities.

He said operational regions have also become key hubs for innovation and technical self-sufficiency in recent years, citing specialized operations such as hot-tapping, major overhauls, resolving operational constraints, and localizing production of certain parts and repair methods. He said the company's goals cannot be achieved without the technical and operational strength of these regions, which draw on field experience and staff expertise to help maintain service continuity and improve efficiency.

Emtehani noted Region 4's particular importance given its geographic position along the country's eastern gas transmission route, saying storage-related facilities and specific operational requirements there mean operational decisions directly affect seasonal consumption balance and network stability. He added that pipeline protection, loss reduction, and compliance with safety and passive defense requirements are other areas where operational regions play an effective role, supporting the company's broader goals of safe, stable, clean and efficient gas transmission.