Hamid Bovard made the remarks Friday during a visit to Platform D of South Pars Phase 14. Noting the round-the-clock efforts of oil industry personnel to sustain gas production under difficult conditions, he said: "We have come to this region today to thank our hardworking colleagues, and to tell the noble people of Iran that even in the toughest circumstances, the oil industry stands firm for Iran and for our heroic nation."

He said gas is produced in the most challenging conditions and still reaches people's homes. "This platform is one of the country's gas platforms that suffered an incident, but thanks to the efforts of our colleagues and the rescue teams, there were fortunately no casualties," he added.

Referring to the fire on the platform, the caretaker oil minister said it was contained and extinguished using firefighting vessels and resources available in the area. Immediately afterward, he said, our colleagues were deployed to the site to begin reconstruction and repairs.

On the rescue operation, Bovard said: "The colleagues who were working on the platform at the time of the incident were rescued from the sea by rescue teams. The rescue was a demanding operation, and fortunately we had no loss of life. The incident caused equipment damage, and part of the platform's equipment was burned."

Praising the staff of Pars Oil and Gas Company for managing the aftermath, he said reconstruction would soon allow operations on the platform to resume, and that the lost gas volume has fortunately been made up through other platforms.

The Need for Public Cooperation with Oil Industry Workers

Pointing to the difficult operating conditions in the region and the need for public support for oil industry workers, the caretaker oil minister said: "The noble people of Iran need to cooperate with their children working in the oil industry, so that this year too, through demand management and by joining the 18–20°C campaign, we can get through these hard conditions."

Stressing the need to conserve energy, particularly in the household and commercial sectors, Bovard said: "We ask the public to save gas so that we can supply the gas needed across the country and, as last year, come through this year with our heads held high before God and the great nation of Iran."

He described the main purpose of the visit as meeting oil industry staff and thanking them for their efforts. "This too is Iranian land," he said. "Just as the warriors and defenders of the country stand on the front lines, oil industry workers are the soldiers of the Iranian nation on the economic front line."

"My Colleagues Are Working in the Toughest Conditions"

The caretaker oil minister continued: "On behalf of the president and members of the cabinet, I thank my colleagues, who are working in the hardest conditions. I hope we can make up for their efforts."

Stressing the importance of standing alongside staff in difficult times, Bovard said: "Fairness and reason dictated that we visit these colleagues at the first opportunity and personally thank them for their efforts. What our colleagues do in these conditions and in this region may be harder than many other activities."

Addressing the families whose spouses, fathers and children work on offshore platforms, he said: "You too share in this heroic struggle. This is not merely a matter of wages, employment and income; it is effort and service in the cause of serving the country, and you are companions and partners of these heroes."

The caretaker oil minister said: "Our colleagues in this industry are national soldiers and heroes, and undoubtedly their dear families share in this path. I hope we will all work together, with empathy and solidarity, for Iran's prosperity and take part in this great jihad."

Platform D of South Pars Phase 14 caught fire on Tuesday. The fire was brought under control and extinguished through the timely action of operational and safety teams.