Sakhavat Asadi said that to better inform the public about the efforts and challenges involved in gas production, cultural activities and awareness campaigns should be prioritized.

Speaking at the election of the fifth term of the Coordinating Council of Public Relations Managers for the Oil Industry in Region 3 Asadi stated that the Pars Special Economic Zone, established for the world’s largest gas field, is one of the largest such zones in the country.

He added that the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has invested over $90 billion in upstream development to expand 24 phases of the South Pars gas field.

Asadi also referred to the statement by the CEO of NIOC regarding record-breaking gas production and noted that this year, South Pars set its highest production record of 716 million cubic meters of gas, surpassing even its competitor, Qatar.

The Pars Special Economic Zone CEO mentioned that there are 39 offshore platforms and 13 onshore refineries, with eight refineries located in the Pars 1 region in Assaluyeh and five refineries in the Kangan region.

He added that the Phase 14 refinery, or the 17th refinery, was the latest to open two years ago, with its units gradually being brought online.

"Over 74% of the country’s gas is produced from the South Pars field, and today, people’s daily lives depend on South Pars gas. This reliance can both be an opportunity and a threat. A reduction in gas production would cause significant problems. Currently, the biggest threat is the field's pressure," Asadi said.

He explained that while the field is currently operating at maximum production, South Pars will face pressure declines, and in the coming years, production will decrease by the equivalent of one phase annually.

However, with the efforts of officials, especially the Minister of Petroleum and senior NIOC managers, who are prioritizing pressure enhancement, an executive contract will soon be signed to address this issue.

Doubling petrochemical production capacity

Asadi also announced that the Pars Special Economic Zone produces 700,000 barrels of gas condensate daily. Of this, approximately 450,000 barrels are sent to the Persian Gulf Star Refinery, which accounts for around 40-45% of the country’s gasoline production and part of its diesel output.

He pointed out that nearly 48% of the country’s petrochemical production capacity is located in the Pars Special Economic Zone. Currently, 27 petrochemical projects, with a total investment of $34 billion, are under construction in Assaluyeh and Kangan. Once completed, these projects will nearly double the country’s petrochemical production capacity.

Asadi also emphasized the strategic importance of the region for the country, stating that last year, the total foreign exchange revenue from exports across all free and special economic zones was about $18 billion, with $12.3 billion coming from the Pars Special Economic Zone alone.

Development of North Pars field to begin soon

Asadi mentioned that the fields of Golshan, Ferdows, Farzad, and North Pars are also under development by NIOC. He added that the development activities for North Pars (PARS 3) will begin soon.

Lastly, Asadi reiterated the importance of gas conservation and efficient consumption, stressing that cultural awareness initiatives should be prioritized to help the public better understand the efforts involved in gas production.