TEHRAN — Pipe-laying operations of Phase 9 of South Pars field ended Tuesday, Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company (IOEC) reported here on Wednesday.

The IOEC’s phases 9-10 pipe-laying manager said a C-Master vessel laid 85km of pipe.

Bahman Banaii added that the project started on Nov. 22 and was to be implemented during 75 days.

He blamed bad weather, depth of water, and size of pipe (32 inches) for a 45-day delay in offshore operations.

The project was done by top international contractors whose operations were according to latest executive standards, he boasted.

The vessel laid about 2.2km of pipe per day -- a new record for the company. Thirteen more vessels helped carry out the project, he added.

Phases 9 and 10 are to produce one billion cubic feet of gas daily, he said.