President Urges Acceleration of Gas Flare Collection

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking at the signing ceremony for the largest gas flare collection project in Iran, Pezeshkian said the initiative—implemented by the National Iranian South Oil Company in partnership with private and knowledge-based firms—marks a major milestone in reducing environmental pollution and optimizing energy use.

“These gases are part of our national wealth. We must not waste even a single day in collecting them,”

the president said, adding that any issues faced by investors should be immediately reported and resolved without bureaucratic delays.

The 14th government has launched 12 contracts for flare gas collection and sales in Aghajari, Gachsaran, Masjed Soleyman, and Ahvaz (Khuzestan Province). The 18-month plan aims to:

Eliminate 30 flare stacks across 11 operational units, Prevent the daily loss of over 295 million cubic feet of flare gas, Generate about $550 million in annual revenue, Produce 800,000 tons of gas liquids annually, Boost feedstock for petrochemical plants, Inject 200 million cubic feet of gas into the national grid, and Reduce the country’s energy imbalance.

Pezeshkian urged stakeholders to shorten the project’s implementation time, stressing that environmental and health benefits must go hand-in-hand with economic progress.

“We must clear the path for investors. If a problem arises, don’t get caught up in paperwork—contact us directly. The government is fully committed to resolving bottlenecks quickly,” he said.

Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad, also present at the ceremony, announced that seven flare gas collection projects have already been completed since the start of the 14th administration. “President ”

He added that by the end of the current year, an additional 150 million cubic feet of gas will be collected daily, with plans to reach 20 million cubic meters per day by the end of 2026—a record figure for Iran’s oil and gas industry.

The National Iranian Oil Company’s (NIOC) managing director stated that the Ministry of Oil aims to collect 520 million cubic feet of flare gas nationwide.

He explained that the 12 contracts signed today will account for nearly 300 million cubic feet, and with continued cooperation between the ministry and the private sector, 18 more contracts are expected to be finalized by December 2025.

Major long-term initiatives include two large-scale projects to upgrade and construct flare gas collection facilities in the East Karoun region—covering the Karoun, Marun, Aghajari, and Gachsaran oilfields—and the establishment of three major gas and gas-liquid plants (3100, 3200, and Kharg).

With a total investment exceeding $4.8 billion, these projects are expected to create a collection capacity of 1.9 billion cubic feet per day within the next two years, marking a significant environmental and economic achievement for Iran’s energy sector.