Iran Commences South Pars Link to Pipe Gas to Iraq
On August 9th, Iran commenced operation of connecting several phases of South Pars gas field its 6th cross-country pipeline, projected to transfer Iranian gas to western regions and Iraq.
Phases 13, 14, 19, 22, 23 and 24 would be linked to 44-inch pipeline, stretched from South Pars in Persian Gulf to Iran-Iraq borders in Naftshahr, Ilam Province.
The first and second sections of this pipeline totalling 611 km in length have been completed (from South Pars towards Naftshar city direction) and 600 km of piping is to reach Iraqi borders.
The capacity of the 6th cross-country pipeline is transferring 110 mcm/d of gas to western regions and Iraq, while Iran eyes this pipeline as a potential rout to export gas to Syria, Lebanon and Europe in future.
Pasargad Energy Development Company (PEDC) signed a $2.28 billion worth agreement with Iranian Gas Engineering and Development Company to develop the remained section of this pipeline last month.
Iran also announced last week that it is preparing to start gas delivery to Iraq by August 20th, but in a restricted volume.
Iran signed an agreement to deliver 25 million cubic meters per day (mcm) of gas to Baghdad’s power plants, but in first phase some 4 mcm/d will be exported and after completion of 6th cross-country pipeline, Iran would fulfill its obligation.
Iran also has a memorandum of understanding with Iraq to export 35 mcm/d of gas to Basra city’s power plants however no agreement has been signed yet.
Among the mentioned phases of South Pars which would be connected to 6th cross-country pipeline, only phase 19 is expected to become operational by March 2016 with 14 mcm/d gas output. The final producing capacity of phase 19 is 25 mcm/d. During the current fiscal year, started on March 21, phases 15, 16, 17 and 18 would become operational with half capacity and phase 12 will operate with full capacity (84 mcm/d).
Iran boosted raw gas production in the South Pars gas field, which shares 30 percent of the country’s 34-trillion total gas reserves by 100 mcm/d in 2014 and planed to increase the volume as much as last year in 2015.
South Pars gas field currently produces about 400 mcm/d of raw gas, of which 300 mcm/d refined gas is produced. The country’s total raw gas and refined gas production stood at 229 billion cubic meters per annum (bcm/a) and 178 bcm/a last year.
Iran consumed 91 bcm, 32.45 bcm and 50 bcm of refined gas in housing, industrial and electricity sectors, while about 34 bcm of gas was re-injected, the mout of flaring reached above 11 bcm and the net export level stood at about 4 bcm in 2014. Iran needs to deliver 20 bcm/d of gas to power sector, while gas re-injection volumes should double.
With completion of all 24 phases of South Pars, Iran’s total produced dry gas would increase from the current 700 mcm/d to 1,100 mcm/d by late 2018, Iranian officials announced.
Phases 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 are expected to commenced from 2016 to 2019. Each standard phase of South Pars (execpting phase 12) has about 25 mcm/d of gas production capacity in average.