TEHRAN (Mehr News Agency) – The first train of 4th and 5th phases of South Pars gas field will be connected to Iran’s overall gas network next year, director of the project Ahmad Adib announced here Sunday. “It is supposed to contain a daily 12.5 million cubic meters of gas to the network.”

A sum of $1 billion has so far been spent on the project, which is just 54 percent completed, he added. Iranian investors have undergone more than what was already planned, he said.

The project requires two platforms at the time, Adib said, adding the first platform will be installed in the area at the end of November. “The second one would proceed one month later,” he stated. Sadra Company, Bushehr, has been announced as the contractor in charge of building platforms.

Adib added that domestic experts have conducted the major part of the process at sea, delivering a remarkable 80 percent progress.

Parts of the project that is performed on land also manifested satisfactory development, he said. “This included design and engineering of the refinery, providing necessary equipment, and construction process,” Adib uttered.

The 56-inch Asaluye-Kangaan transfer pipeline, which is being built in Tehran Jonub Factory, is expected to connect the area with the overall gas network, he added.

He also said that up to now, about 21,000 meters have been extracted in two sea platforms. “The Italian Saipem Company performs sea extractions while Sadaf Co. is in charge of land process.”

Iranian companies would be capable of undergoing much of the project in case they are secured with state supports, Adib added. ER/IS END MNA