Overhaul of 16 Offshore Platforms in South Pars Completed

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking to IRNA, Sepahdar Abbaszadeh provided detailed updates on the company’s ambitious program to overhaul 35 offshore oil and gas platforms in South Pars during the current operational year.

Abbaszadeh explained that the annual overhaul of South Pars platforms is strategically scheduled in the first half of the year to ensure the company – which supplies more than 70% of the country’s gas consumption and over 40% of its gasoline – is fully prepared for the colder months. “Overhauls generally start in April or early May and continue through the end of October,” he said. “This year, we planned to complete 35 overhauls. So far, 16 have been finalized, one is in progress, and the rest will be completed on schedule.”

According to Abbaszadeh, the duration of each overhaul varies depending on the scope of work required for each platform. Up to this stage, 6,150 work orders have been registered and executed, consuming a total of 54,759 man-hours.

Key tasks in the overhaul program include replacing 32-inch pipeline bends, repairing and replacing heavy 15-ton valves, inspecting and repairing high-pressure vessels, testing and calibrating platform control systems, inspecting and servicing flare ignition and lighting systems, and calibrating safety valves that regulate pressure.

Despite the extensive nature of the work, gas production has been maintained at maximum levels. At any given time, only two to four platforms are taken offline for maintenance, while the remainder continue operating at full capacity to meet the domestic and industrial gas demand.

“These activities are carried out in extremely challenging conditions in the intense summer heat of the Persian Gulf,” Abbaszadeh noted. “Our specialists and personnel work tirelessly to ensure the nation can benefit from the full capacity of this shared gas field during winter.”

Addressing the impact of international sanctions on the procurement of parts and equipment, Abbaszadeh acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the industry’s resilience. “While the effects of sanctions are undeniable, we have been able to domestically produce more than 90% of the parts required for our operations, thanks to localization efforts and the capabilities of Iranian knowledge-based companies,” he said.

All components that could no longer be imported due to sanctions have been manufactured domestically using top-grade materials and in accordance with international standards. “The quality and efficiency of our platforms have not been compromised,” he stressed. Many sophisticated parts that were once imported are now produced or repaired locally, making domestic products a viable replacement for foreign ones.

Abbaszadeh highlighted that while Iran still has progress to make to reach the top global benchmarks, continuous advancement and perseverance in the face of challenges remain the oil industry’s greatest strengths. “We are steadily localizing even the most sensitive gas industry components, including those used inside wells, with the help of Iran’s young specialists,” he added.

He also pointed to the team’s ability to maintain operations during recent security tensions and a 12-day conflict in the region. “Even under those conditions, not a single day of production or overhaul work was halted,” he said. Transportation of personnel and equipment was severely hindered due to the suspension of helicopter flights, forcing teams to rely on marine vessels. In some cases, staff traveled up to 48 hours overland to reach the offshore facilities along the Iran-Qatar maritime border – yet operations continued without disruption.

Abbaszadeh praised the relentless efforts of the Pars Oil and Gas Company workforce, noting that nearly 100% of Iranian households now enjoy access to natural gas. “With ongoing improvements, we hope to further enhance the country’s gas supply in the coming years,” he concluded.