Iran expects to restore 100 million cubic meters of gas production capacity within the next few months, according to Mohammad-Jafar Ghaempanah, the president's executive deputy.
Speaking Monday at a crisis management committee meeting in Asalouyeh, Ghaempanah said enemy strikes on oil industry infrastructure during the third imposed war knocked out roughly 230 million cubic meters of the country's gas production capacity. He credited oil industry specialists with efforts to bring 100 million cubic meters of that capacity back online in the coming months.
Ghaempanah thanked oil and gas workers, armed forces personnel and officials in Iran's southern provinces, saying the government serves all Iranians equally regardless of province or region. He said every possible resource has been mobilized to strengthen the country's resilience and maintain services to the public. Despite threats and risks, he said, none of the country's oil and gas terminals shut down, as workers kept production running.
The 230 million cubic meter shortfall is significant compared with the country's roughly 650 million cubic meters of total gas production, Ghaempanah said, adding that it has worsened Iran's existing gas supply imbalance. Still, he said, industry workers are expected to restore 100 million cubic meters of that lost capacity within a few months.
Ghaempanah stressed the need for careful energy consumption management, saying the government's goal is to maintain stable electricity and gas supplies so that industrial and petrochemical production continues without disruption to output or jobs. He said the government is also pursuing solar power development, with some new capacity already brought online to help stabilize the national electricity grid.
Ghaempanah conveyed greetings from the president to oil and gas industry workers and government personnel, thanking them for their efforts and saying the government is working with full capacity for public welfare. He added that no other front should be opened in the country except the defense of national interests against adversaries, and called for unity across political factions behind the country's leadership for the sake of national progress and security.