Speaking Saturday on the sidelines of the signing ceremony for 12 flare gas recovery contracts in the National Iranian South Oilfields, Paknejad highlighted the environmental and economic importance of the projects. “When associated gases are recovered, they not only protect the environment and prevent air pollution but also create significant value for the country. These are rich gases that have been burning for years,” he said.

He added that the president’s persistent follow-up over the past year has greatly accelerated the implementation of associated gas recovery projects. “We expect that the 12 contracts signed today alone will generate around $600 million in annual value for the country,” he said.

Referring to the quantitative targets of Iran’s Seventh Development Plan, Paknejad said the goal is to collect up to 44 million cubic meters of associated gas per day by the end of 2028.

According to the report, the 12 contracts to recover flare gas from oilfields in the southern oil-rich regions were signed Saturday via videoconference under the direction of President Masoud Pezeshkian. The agreements aim to collect 295 million cubic feet of flare gas per day and extinguish 32 flares within a maximum implementation period of 18 months.