TEHRAN -- According to a report released here Tuesday by the Oil Ministry, 455 million cubic meters of natural gas was produced in the second and third phases of the South Pars gas field during the Iranian month of Tir (June 22-July 22, 2002).

According to the report, during this period 232,588 barrels of liquefied gas were stored and 702,605 barrels were exported.

Construction operations of phases 2 and 3 of the South Pars project are 99.71 percent completed and construction of Refining Unit No. 3 is currently in its final stage.

As part of phases 2 and 3, pipes in excess of twelve inches in diameter have been installed at a depth of 3,288 meters, the report said.