Gas deliveries to industries surge despite output drop
Gas deliveries to industries and small businesses increased by 1 billion cubic meters in the first six months of the current Persian year (started on March 21) compared with the same period last year, despite a decline in production at the South Pars gas field, the head of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) said.
Saeed Tavakkoli told Shana that no restrictions had been imposed on major industries, particularly steel and petrochemical producers, although some facilities were damaged during the 40-day war.
He said ensuring a stable gas supply had become more challenging following recent incidents at the South Pars gas field, but the gas network had managed to maintain supplies to key sectors despite lower overall gas deliveries.
Comparing the first six months of this year with the same period last year, Tavakkoli said the volume of gas supplied to the national network was about 14% lower. Nevertheless, the share of gas in power plants’ fuel mix remained broadly unchanged.
Gas accounted for 85% of power plants’ fuel requirements during the first half of this year, compared with 86% during the same period last year, he said, describing the figures as evidence of the gas network’s resilience under difficult conditions.
Tavakkoli said the figures showed that the gas industry had prioritized supplying power plants to help prevent electricity imbalances while also using its full capacity to maintain gas supplies to productive and industrial sectors.
The approach, he added, was aimed at keeping the country’s production and economic activity running despite challenging conditions.