{"id":15847,"date":"2025-10-25T06:57:06","date_gmt":"2025-10-25T06:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roydadnaft.ir\/English\/?p=15847"},"modified":"2025-10-25T06:57:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-25T06:57:06","slug":"inside-irans-record-gas-transmission-push","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roydadnaft.ir\/English\/15847\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Iran\u2019s record gas transmission push"},"content":{"rendered":"

RoydadNaft – <\/a><\/span>\u00a0The record-breaking performance and resilience of Iran\u2019s gas transmission network in harsh conditions demonstrate how its pipelines and compressor stations continue operating even amid freezing weather and security threats.<\/p>\n

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While millions of families enjoy warmth in their homes during winter, few realize that hundreds of workers toil around the clock to ensure that heat never stops flowing. Peyman Khazraei, CEO of the Iranian Gas Transmission Company, sheds light on the realities behind the stability of this vast national network \u2014 one that transfers every cubic meter of produced gas without interruption, leaving no such thing as \u201cuntransmitted gas.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

He emphasizes that the true skill of this organization lies in managing operations under the extreme and complex challenges of winter, when household consumption peaks at more than 75 percent of total demand, and pressure control becomes critical to preventing crises.<\/em><\/p>\n

Khazraei points out that the network is monitored through 150 control points across the country, where teams work in tough and sometimes dangerous conditions to balance gas flow between provinces by precisely adjusting intermediate valves. He recalls a 12-day conflict during which one transmission line was attacked \u2014 yet workers managed to restore it in less than 24 hours.<\/em><\/p>\n

In an interview with Shana, the Oil and Energy Information Network, Khazraei explains how the company prepares pipelines and compressor stations for the winter season, revealing the engineering precision, human dedication, and moment-to-moment readiness that ensure every cubic meter of gas delivered to homes and industries remains uninterrupted.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u00a0Network Capacity and Future Expansion<\/strong><\/p>\n

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There are two types of capacities within the gas transmission network. The first is transfer capacity, which depends on pipeline design and equipment. For example, a 56-inch pipeline can transfer between 110 and 120 million cubic meters of gas per day, depending on the pipeline\u2019s diameter and turbine power. The second is line-pack capacity, which refers to the volume of gas stored within the pipelines themselves \u2014 similar to how water remains in a pipe. Unlike electricity, which vanishes the moment power is cut, gas stays in the line and can be used during peak demand.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Compressor Station Configuration in Winter<\/strong><\/p>\n

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About 75 percent of Iran\u2019s processed natural gas is produced in the south \u2014 mainly from the South Pars field and the Fajr Jam refinery \u2014 and then injected into the network. Demand, however, surges in the north, especially in major cities like Tehran, Mashhad, and Tabriz during the winter. Because gas must travel long distances, maintaining sufficient pressure and transfer capacity is essential.<\/p>\n

To handle this, compressor stations are typically designed with a \u201c3+1\u201d configuration \u2014 three operational turbocompressors and one standby unit. The station\u2019s capacity is defined by the three main units, but in winter, the backup unit is also activated to boost throughput beyond its nominal design.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Can the Network Meet Winter Demand?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Yes. The system transmits all produced gas, leaving no \u201cuntransmitted\u201d volume. Last winter, the same approach fully met consumption needs. The network normally operates at 800\u2013900 PSI. During high demand, pressure can drop to 600, 500, or even 400 PSI, allowing stored gas in pipelines to compensate for temporary shortages.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Record-Breaking Gas Transmission in 1403<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Iran\u2019s gas transmission network is highly flexible, adjusting capacity to production levels and consumption patterns. In 1403, the country set new records for gas transmission nine times over seven days. Between December and March, volumes rose from 857 million to a record 880 million cubic meters per day, with the highest mark registered on February 1, 2025 (Bahman 13, 1403).<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Underground Gas Storage and Its Benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Natural gas is stored underground for consumption management and emergency supply. Currently, two major storage sites \u2014 Sarajeh and Shourijeh \u2014 are in operation. For instance, the Sarajeh facility near Qom is expanding its capacity from 1 billion to 1.5 billion cubic meters. This storage system allows better management during low-demand months and provides reserves to offset potential shortages later in the year.<\/p>\n

With ongoing maintenance, station upgrades, and smart management, the gas transmission network maintains stable supply to high-demand areas, especially in northern regions. Gas storage also enhances system resilience and controls seasonal imbalances.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Network Monitoring and Communications<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The Iranian Gas Transmission Company manages all telecommunications and telemetry systems across the National Iranian Gas Company\u2019s operations, covering pipelines, refineries, and provincial gas companies. The system includes 551 telecommunication stations, 8,800 kilometers of optical fiber, 337 communication towers, and about 780 RTU units transmitting real-time data from stations to control centers, along with 4,000 kilometers of microwave network. This infrastructure ensures continuous monitoring and stable network operation.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Managing Pressure During Peak Consumption<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Accurate consumption management is key. On average, 34 percent of gas goes to industries, 34 percent to power plants, 25 percent to households, 4 percent to transportation (CNG), and 3 percent to other sectors. However, in extreme cold, the residential share can surge to 76\u201380 percent. Since homes are prioritized, power plants and factories must reduce consumption or switch to alternative fuels to maintain household heating.<\/p>\n

Unlike electricity, gas transmission cannot instantly redirect flow. If demand exceeds the system\u2019s capacity, internal pressure drops and adding more gas at the source has little effect \u2014 much like an athlete lifting a weight beyond his limit: without support, the bar falls. Likewise, if consumption outpaces capacity, pressure drops and the system cannot sustain flow.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Maintaining Northern Network Stability<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Ensuring adequate supply to northern regions is one of the company\u2019s most complex challenges. To sustain stability, even reserve compressor units are activated. Sometimes, turbines must keep running past their maintenance schedule \u2014 a risky but necessary measure to avoid disruption.<\/p>\n

With 150 control points across the network, field teams work around the clock, often in remote deserts, manually adjusting valve configurations to redirect flow. For instance, if consumption in Khorasan province rises, flow may be temporarily diverted from northern routes, then rebalanced once demand subsides. This dynamic management requires constant coordination and technical precision.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Unexpected Crises Beyond Winter<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Challenges aren\u2019t limited to winter. In early-April, 2025, a sudden cold wave hit the country just as maintenance programs had begun. Heavy snow spiked gas demand, nearly causing outages. Thanks to the operational agility of the teams, the crisis was swiftly contained.<\/p>\n

The company\u2019s mission, Khazraei says, is to act decisively in emergencies \u2014 even beyond its control \u2014 to prevent crises. A recent example was the 12-day conflict, during which a pipeline was attacked. Despite drone and aerial threats, the repair team restored operations within 24 hours. Workers camouflaged themselves in darkness, relocated equipment, and continued repairs under fire. In some cases, regional managers and technicians had to take cover on the ground until drones passed overhead before resuming work. Several personnel were injured, yet their rapid response prevented fires and broader damage. These, Khazraei says, are the unsung heroes of the gas network.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Operational Reliability and Safety Indicators<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The network\u2019s operational reliability currently stands between 98 and 99 percent, far above the acceptable 90 percent benchmark. Compressor station dependability alone has reached 98 percent \u2014 a result of timely, precise operations.<\/p>\n

In terms of safety, the accident frequency rate (FR) dropped by 54 percent last year, with zero fatalities and over 20 million work hours without incident, reflecting strict adherence to safety standards across all operations.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Training and Workforce Development<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Employee training remains a key priority. In 2024, the average training per employee was 32.7 hours, while managers received 1,325 hours, and board members 1.96 hours each. The training effectiveness rate reached 82 percent for employees and managers and 89 percent for board members. Overall, a total of 264,725 training hours were conducted, including sessions for contract and outsourced personnel.<\/p>\n

Through constant vigilance, rapid response, and professional dedication, Iran\u2019s Gas Transmission Company sustains one of the world\u2019s largest integrated natural gas transmission networks \u2014 a system that continues to set new records for reliability and resilience under the most demanding conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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