According to the IGEDC, CEO Behnam Mirzaei outlined the company's key activities, stating that major achievements included launching three significant gas pipeline projects: Rasht-Chelvand, Chelvand-Ardabil and Ardabil-Germi. These projects completed the gas supply chain to Ardabil province, creating a foundation for the region's economic development.

The 76-kilometer Ardabil-Germi pipeline, a key infrastructure project for the province, has spurred a significant economic leap in the Moghan region by providing stable gas supplies, boosting employment and improving residents' livelihoods, Mirzaei said. It also guarantees gas stability in Iran's most remote border areas.

Increased gas supply in the northwest

The 55-kilometer Chelvand-Ardabil gas pipeline was successfully executed despite difficult climatic and geological conditions through mountainous terrain, supplying gas to cities in northern Ardabil, Mirzaei said. Additionally, the 151-kilometer Rasht-Chelvand transmission line begins at the Lakan gas pressure booster facility in Rasht and reaches Chelvand in Astara, connecting to the Ardabil transmission line. This line enhances safety, ensures stable gas transfer with increased capacity, and improves operational resilience and flexibility in the region.

Mirzaei credited the relentless efforts of company employees for overcoming the project's geographical, climatic and legal obstacles. With the launch of the Rasht-Chelvand line, the Pareh Sar combined cycle power plant now benefits from adequate gas pressure, reducing the need for fossil fuels in winter.

The 74-kilometer Noor-Kelarabad project, adjacent to the Sarakhs-Neka gas pipeline, has guaranteed gas stability for industries and power plants in western Mazandaran, he said. The 22-kilometer Polur-Vana supply line strengthens household and commercial gas usage in the north, increasing social welfare for residents.

Pressure Booster Stations

Mirzaei noted the launch of three turbo-compressor units at the Dehshir gas pressure booster facility in the current Iranian year to complete and stabilize gas transmission capacity on the eighth nationwide pipeline. The facility includes four turbo-compressor units with a total daily capacity of approximately 110 million cubic meters. All four turbo-compressor units at the Borazjan station were installed and became operational during the 14th administration. The 1+3 configuration of the units, with a nominal capacity of 107 million cubic meters per day, demonstrates the high capability of the domestic industry in manufacturing gas pressure equipment, in addition to localizing the technology.

Regarding transmission lines in the east and southeast, Mirzaei said the 120-kilometer Minab-Sirik pipeline has provided a stable gas supply to industries in eastern Hormozgan province, enabling economic and industrial development for cities along the route and regional power plants.

Ensuring network stability

A 176-kilometer line, with the first 80 kilometers completed in the 13th administration and the remainder in the 14th, became fully operational within a year to complete the eastern ring of the national gas transmission network, Mirzaei said. This line enables two-way gas exchange between Sistan-Baluchestan and South Khorasan provinces, guaranteeing network stability.

The operational 154-kilometer Palizan-Paskouh-Suran-Zaboli transmission line has provided stable gas access to residents of eastern Sistan and Baluchestan, increasing social welfare, reducing fossil fuel consumption, preventing migration and enabling agricultural development, he added.

The Nehbandan-Sarbisheh gas pipeline project is the final and most critical step in completing the eastern ring of the national gas network, Mirzaei stated. This line enables two-way gas exchange between northeast and southeast Iran and has positive environmental effects, including reduced fossil fuel consumption.

The 233-kilometer Pol Kaleh-Nizar pipeline project has been divided into two sections, Pol Kaleh-Dehq and Dehq-Nizar. The contractor for the Pol Kaleh-Dehq section has been selected and executive operations have begun, Mirzaei said. Each section, with a daily transmission capacity of approximately 110 million cubic meters of gas, will increase the country's energy transfer capacity and improve the stability of the national network in the central corridor.

Storage development

Citing the importance of natural gas storage and reducing seasonal shortages, Mirzaei said the first phase of the gas storage project in the salt formation of Nasrabad, Kashan, has begun. Preliminary studies indicate a capacity of approximately 550 million cubic meters for this reservoir, and drilling operations and access road construction are underway.

Regarding the development plan for the Shourijeh storage reservoir, Mirzaei said its current gas storage capacity is 2.25 billion cubic meters with a withdrawal capacity of 20 million cubic meters per day. The development phase will increase storage capacity to 4.5 billion cubic meters and withdrawal to 40 million cubic meters per day. The project is currently 57% complete and is expected to be operational by 2026 if necessary financial resources are provided by the investor.

The current storage capacity at the Sarajeh reservoir is 1 billion cubic meters with a withdrawal rate of 10 million cubic meters per day. The development phase will increase storage to 1.5 billion cubic meters and withdrawal to 15 million cubic meters per day, Mirzaei said. This development plan is now 82% complete and is scheduled for completion and operation by the end of this year.