In the first year of the 14th administration, the South Pars Gas Complex once again played a strategic role in meeting the country’s energy needs, particularly during the cold season. As the largest supplier of natural gas in Iran, the complex, relying on domestic expertise and modern technologies, received about 230 billion cubic meters of gas from offshore platforms and injected more than 199 billion cubic meters of sweet gas into the national grid. This performance also set a historic record of delivering 610 million cubic meters of gas on Feb. 3, 2025.

Alongside production, overhauls at the South Pars refineries remain vital to ensuring the continuity and stability of natural gas supplies. Under the National Iranian Gas Company’s (NIGC) integrated plan, overhauls of South Pars refineries began in April 2024 and are progressing based on precise scheduling, advanced technologies, and local expertise to maintain and enhance production capacity.

Overhauls not only prevent unplanned shutdowns but also improve process reliability and reduce safety risks — a crucial factor during winter peaks in gas demand. Collaboration with more than 120 domestic and knowledge-based companies in supplying parts and equipment has ensured uninterrupted, high-quality operations while minimizing dependence on imports.

In an interview with SHANA, Gholamabbas Hosseini, CEO of South Pars Gas Complex, outlined the latest status of overhaul operations and overall performance.

Role in national gas supply over the past year

During the past year under the 14th administration, South Pars received around 230 bcm of feed gas from offshore platforms, injected 199 bcm of sweet gas into the national pipeline, and supplied over 7 million tons of feedstock to petrochemical plants including Pars, Bushehr, and Kangan Petrorefinery. Thanks to the expertise and efforts of refinery staff, gas injection into the national grid rose by 9 bcm compared with 1402, also achieving a record daily delivery of nearly 610 mcm on Feb. 4, 2025.

Currently, production across the 13 refineries of South Pars stands at 600–610 mcm per day. Since its establishment in 1998, the complex has sweetened and delivered more than 2,390 bcm of gas, underscoring its critical role in national energy security, especially in winter.

Contribution to production, technology, exports, and jobs

The complex produces natural gas, condensates, and associated products, with significant impact on multiple economic sectors. Domestically, South Pars reduces reliance on alternative fossil fuels and energy imports, while its gas and condensates serve as the foundation for petrochemical and downstream industries, boosting GDP, creating jobs, and driving regional development. Exports of condensates and other products strengthen trade balance and national revenues.

South Pars also creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs, improves the socio-economic conditions of southern regions, and reduces dependence on crude exports by converting natural gas into higher-value petrochemical and condensate products.

In the first year of the current administration, the refineries produced more than 243 million barrels of condensates, 606,000 tons of granulated sulfur, 2.7 million tons of butane, about 4 million tons of propane, and over 4 million tons of ethane. The complex also supplied 170 million barrels of condensates to the Persian Gulf Star Refinery and 45 million barrels to the Nouri Petrochemical Plant, playing a major role in gasoline production.

Importance and priorities of overhauls

Overhauls are essential for ensuring continuity, safety, and efficiency in operations. These planned activities involve thorough inspections, refurbishments, and upgrades of critical refinery equipment to maintain and boost production capacity, guarantee safety, enhance efficiency, and reduce risks and costs.

Replacing worn-out equipment restores optimal performance, prevents production declines, and improves unit efficiency. Preventive measures and updates in line with international standards reduce the risks of explosions, fires, and pollution while extending equipment lifespan and cutting maintenance costs.

Differences from previous year’s overhauls

Compared with 2023, this year’s overhaul program was planned and communicated earlier, with more detail, ensuring faster execution. The use of newer technologies, faster repair methods, and larger specialist teams has reduced downtime, improved efficiency, and boosted refinery revenues by minimizing production loss.

Current progress

Overhaul operations at refineries 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 have been successfully completed. Work is ongoing at refinery 11, ahead of schedule thanks to innovative approaches and expert execution.

Challenges during the 12-day war

Despite operational restrictions and workforce reductions under red-alert conditions during the 12-day war, overhaul programs continued without delay, underscoring the company’s firm commitment to production continuity and facility maintenance even under crisis conditions.

Ensuring efficiency and minimal downtime

South Pars organizes its overhaul programs to reduce unplanned shutdowns and increase operational reliability. Preventive maintenance detects and addresses potential issues before they escalate, keeps equipment at optimal performance, extends their service life, and minimizes costly disruptions. This also ensures better product quality, lower waste risks, and enhanced worker safety.

Sourcing parts under sanctions

Despite sanctions and resource constraints, South Pars has secured over 90% of required parts domestically, ensuring stable production while supporting local manufacturers. Collaborating with more than 120 domestic and knowledge-based companies has improved product quality, increased efficiency, and reduced reliance on imports.

Achievements of collaboration with domestic companies

Through broad cooperation with local and knowledge-based firms, South Pars has indigenized over 11,000 types of equipment, saved up to €8.4 million in foreign currency in just nine months, and enhanced production stability. These efforts reduced refinery downtime and eliminated reliance on foreign specialists.

Localization of strategic equipment

By early 2025, more than 11,700 items — including rotating machinery, turboexpanders, and cold boxes — have been indigenized, technologies once exclusive to advanced countries like Japan, the U.S., China, and European nations. Now fully produced domestically, these advancements break foreign monopolies and significantly cut import dependency.

Environmental initiatives

Since early 1404 (March 21), flare reduction projects have cut flaring by more than 40,000 tons across South Pars refineries, achieved through process improvements, LPG loading upgrades, and use of local equipment. Measures such as lowering propane storage temperatures, raising operating pressures, improving compressor cooling, and eliminating non-condensable gases have increased LPG exports, bringing in $20 million in revenue while delivering both environmental and economic benefits.