Iran has started executive operations on the first phase of its Mokhtar gas field, located near Yasouj in south-western Iran. The Mokhtar gas field storage project will be developed in two phases. Eight to ten wells will be drilled in the reservoir development stage and refining, gas injection, and gas dehydration unit systems will be subsequently installed to inject the reservoir’s gas into the national grid. The US$472m project is set to add 10 mcm/d (3.6 bcm/year) to the country’s gas production once fully operational in 2026.
As of 2021, Iran’s proved gas reserves reached nearly 34,000 bcm. In 2022, the country produced more nearly 244 bcm of natural gas (around 668 mcm/d). In February 2023, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) announced the implementation of plans to increase gas production in the country by 50% by 2029. Iran’s gas production is expected to increase from around 1 bcm/day in 2023 to 1.5 bcm/day before the end of the decade, thanks to the development of new gas fields and a more efficient exploitation of existing gas fields.