In line with the South Pars development projects, a plan has been made to start the construction of the ninth branch of Iran Gas Trunkline (IGAT 9) in the current Iranian year (started on March 20), which will transfer 35 billion cubic meters per year to Europe via Turkey.
Hassan Montazer Torbati, the head of Iranian Gas Engineering and Development Company, made the statement in an interview with Shana on Sunday.
IGAT 9, with a length of 1,863 kilometers, was taken into consideration during the tenure of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but it was put on hold at the expense of IGAT 6, which provides an alternative route to transport Iran's gas to the Turkish border in northwest.
Asked about IGEDC's agenda, Torbati hoped that concurrent with the South Pars development plans, IGAT 9, which starts from Asalouyeh and passes through Ahvaz, Dehgolan and Bazargan through 17 compressor stations before terminating at the northern Bazargan just north of Maku, will become operational in two years at an estimated cost of $7 billion.
"Upon completion, the pipeline will be capable of transferring 100 million cubic meters of natural gas per day," he said.
Pointing to the construction of five compressor stations on IGAT 8, the official added that the project, with work progressing to 80%, will go on stream by the yearend.
The 56-inch-diameter IGAT 8 gas pipeline, with a length of over 1,000 km, will transfer 110 mcm of gas from South Pars gas field to the central parts of the country on a daily basis.
"IGEDC lays more than 500 kilometers of gas pipeline on average per annum in addition to building five compressor stations," he said.
According to Torbati, the company attracts between $330 and $660 million in liquidity per year, but managed to attract $920 million in investment in the last Iranian year.
------- Other Major Priorities
Reflecting on other priorities, the official noted that exporting natural gas to target destinations, especially Iraq and Pakistan, is of prime importance.
Moreover, Iran-Oman subsea pipeline development plan—whose feasibility studies are coming to an end—will be undertaken by IGEDC.
Attaching major significance to providing Sistan-Baluchestan Province with natural gas, Torbati said, "IGAT 7, which links Bandar Abbas to Iranshahr over a distance of 480 km, has been extended to the province and Iranshahr has already been connected to the national gas grid."
Hoping that Zahedan will receive gas by the yearend, the official said laying the Iranshahr-Zahedan gas pipeline is currently underway, as it is high on National Iranian Gas Company’s list of priorities.
Asked about supplying gas to northern parts of the country, Torbati said IGAT 3 has been extended to Rasht in Gilan Province.
"As soon as the pipe-laying plan across the cities of Damghan, Kiasar, Sari and Neka is implemented, gas supply to northern parts will be considerably strengthened," he said.
The initiative, approved by the Economic Council at an estimated cost of $153 million, has also been shortlisted for completion in the near future.
------- Indigenization
On the domestic sector's indigenization capabilities, the official said there is no need to import foreign turbo compressors, as domestic manufactures can meet the needs of Iranian projects.
"There has been a remarkable development in producing gas spigots. With respect to gas pipes, there are three big factories with a high capacity to satisfy domestic requirements," he said.
"Nonetheless, having direct interaction with international companies can be a driving force to develop our infrastructures and demonstrate our potential to emerge as an exporter of gas equipment in international markets."
South Pars is the world's largest gas field, shared between Iran and Qatar, covering an area of 3,700 square kilometers of Iran's territorial waters in the Persian Gulf. It adjoins Qatar’s North Field, which measures 6,000 square kilometers.
