TEHRAN- The managing director of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) said that the record for gas sweetening and injection into the national grid was broken.

The figure, which was 880 million cubic meters (mcm) per day last year, has reached 882 million cubic meters per day in the same period this year, Saeed Tavakoli stated.

Speaking at the 14th Winter Fuel Coordination Meeting, the official stated: "On the 23rd of Dey this year (January 13, 2026), 162.1 million cubic meters of gas was delivered to power plants, and with this performance, the record for gas delivery to this sector was broken for the several consecutive time this year."

Referring to the 12-day war and the stability of the gas industry during it, he added: "During that period, some refining facilities were damaged, but with the determination, dedication, and coordinated scientific management of gas industry personnel, one of the damaged units of the Fajr Jam Gas Refinery was rebuilt and returned to the production cycle in less than six months."

The deputy oil minister for gas affairs, referring to the performance of the sector, said: "Despite the fact that on average, since Shahrivar this year (late August/September), the temperature has been about one degree colder than last year, and household consumption has increased by an average of 23 million cubic meters per day compared to last year due to the addition of 700,000 new subscribers, we had no gas cuts in any sector, thanks to the efforts of all employees."

Necessity of complete vigilance by provincial gas directors coinciding with widespread temperature drop

Predicting a widespread drop in temperature in various parts of the country in late this week and early next week, Tavakoli emphasized the necessity for the full readiness of the managing directors of provincial gas companies. He added: "Along with intensifying field inspections and precise monitoring of gas consumption in government offices and centers, they must exercise complete vigilance regarding consumption management in the household, commercial, and small-scale industrial sectors."

Stating that from the beginning of the (Iranian) year until the 21st of Dey 1404 (January 11, 2026), more than 3.2 billion cubic meters of additional gas has been delivered to power plants and at least 1.5 billion cubic meters more to industries, he clarified: "But this does not mean the situation has returned to normal. Rather, this achievement was only made possible through the efforts of employees and proper consumption management. Therefore, we should not become complacent. The success achieved is the result of proper performance in all sectors of gas production, transmission, and distribution."

The managing director of the National Iranian Gas Company, emphasizing the use of the capacity of type-two contractor companies, especially in the three northern provinces, stated: "Other provinces should definitely make necessary use of this opportunity, as our goal in implementing the plan for contractor companies and energy operators is to achieve an effective model of consumption management, optimization, and reducing imbalance in the country's energy system."

Iran sits atop the world's second-largest proven natural gas reserves, estimated at over 1,200 trillion cubic feet, trailing only Russia. This immense resource is not merely an economic asset but a fundamental pillar of national strategy, energy security, and industrial development. The majority of these reserves are concentrated in the colossal offshore South Pars/North Dome field, which Iran shares with Qatar. This single field accounts for nearly 40 percent of Iran's total gas reserves and is the engine of its production growth.

Domestically, natural gas is the lifeblood of the Iranian economy. It fuels over 70 percent of the country's electricity generation through massive gas-fired power plants, ensuring national power grid stability. Furthermore, it is the primary source of energy for households (heating and cooking) and a critical feedstock for vast petrochemical and fertilizer industries. A decades-long, ongoing project to expand the national gas distribution network has connected over 98% of the urban population and a vast number of villages, replacing polluting and inefficient fuels like kerosene and contributing significantly to public health and environmental quality in populated areas.

Internationally, while Iran's gas export potential remains underutilized due to geopolitical and infrastructural constraints, it currently exports gas via pipelines to neighbors like Turkey and Iraq. The long-term vision includes ambitious pipeline projects and participation in the global LNG (liquefied natural gas) market, though these plans face significant challenges.

The National Iranian Gas Company, a subsidiary of the Oil Ministry, is the state-owned entity responsible for the entire downstream gas chain within Iran. Established in 1965, its mandate encompasses processing, transmission, distribution, and supply of natural gas. NIGC's operations are monumental in scale and complexity.

Its key functions include:

* Processing (Sweetening): Raw gas from fields like South Pars contains impurities and associated liquids. NIGC operates massive gas processing plants (like the vast complexes in Asaluyeh) to separate out valuable condensate and "sweeten" the gas by removing sulfur compounds, making it safe for transport and use.

* Transmission: NIGC manages one of the world's most extensive high-pressure gas pipeline networks, spanning over 40,000 kilometers. This intricate "national gas grid" is the arterial system that transports processed gas from southern fields to consumption centers across the country, including the distant northern and eastern provinces.

* Distribution and supply: Through regional subsidiary companies, NIGC distributes gas to tens of millions of residential, commercial, and industrial subscribers. It also handles the complex scheduling and supply for major consumers like power plants and large industries.

* Storage: To manage seasonal demand peaks (especially in cold winters), NIGC has developed and operates underground natural gas storage (UGS) facilities, injecting gas in low-demand summer months for withdrawal in winter.

NIGC faces persistent challenges, including immense domestic demand growth, the need for continuous technological upgrades and investment in aging infrastructure, international sanctions limiting access to technology and finance, and maintaining the delicate balance between domestic supply, industrial feedstock, and export commitments. Despite these hurdles, as recent reports of record gas injection show, NIGC plays an indispensable role in harnessing Iran's premier natural resource to power the nation's economy and households. Its performance is directly tied to the country's industrial output, electricity stability, and social welfare.

MA