Azerbaijan, Baku, March 15/ Trend M. Moezzi
Iran's gas production at its joint South Pars gas field reached 290 million cubic meters a day setting a new record, Shana news agency reports.
On average the South Pars Oil and Gas Company has churned out 240 million cubic meters of gas a day since the start of the year (Iran's solar year ends on March 20). Higher demand during the winter pushed production to eight million cubic meters, past the level guaranteed by the South Pars Company.
Completion of 23 wells in South Pars's Phases 9 and 10, along with using the maximum production capacity of Phases 6 to 8, helped drive up production said Mousa Souri , the South Pars Oil and Gas Company's managing director.
The goal set for South Pars' gas production next year is 350 million cubic meters a day, a level that could increase to 380 million cubic meters.
When Phases 12, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are completely finished, Iran will be able to draw 444 to 454 million cubic meters of gas from South Pars, said Mr. Souri.
Iran and Qatar share the 9700 square kilometre South Pars gas and oil field. Qatar, however, is far ahead of Iran in exploiting the field's resources. It has intensified developing South Pars while Iran suffers international sanctions and technical and financial obstacles.