Minister: Iran Produces 275 bcm of Gas Annually
Paknejad made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of the 26th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Tehran.
He underlined the importance of the forum as a leading international event in the global gas industry.
“This meeting is a good opportunity for exchange of views among the member and observer countries of the forum, as well as experts and specialists in the gas industry so that the bright horizons of cooperation can be shared and strengthened even more than before,” the minister said.
Paknejad added that natural gas now constitutes over 70% of Iran’s energy consumption mix.
He emphasized Iran’s strategic focus on leveraging domestic and international capacities to boost gas production, optimize consumption, and improve energy efficiency.
The minister also reiterated Iran’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
“While maximizing the use of its natural gas resources, Iran remains dedicated to eco-friendly practices. Additionally, Iran is determined to lead in developing technologies and methods that enhance gas extraction and utilization efficiency while minimizing environmental impact,” he stated.
The GECF Ministerial Meeting gathered representatives from major gas exporting nations to discuss strategies, share insights, and strengthen collaboration in the global energy sector.
In relevant remarks in October, CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Saeed Tavakkoli had announced that the share of natural gas in Iran’s energy basket is 70%.
The natural gas meets 83 percent of power plants' needs to fuel, Tavakkoli underlined, stressing the need for a cross-sector perspective on energy, specially when the country is close to the cold season.
He stressed that the NIGC as a midstream entity and according to its responsibilities, should maintain a steady supply of gas in the country, with the primary priority being the sustained gas supply for households, particularly during the cold season.
Tavakoli added that the natural gas industry is a driving force for production and development, at the forefront of the economic war, and acts with national interests in mind, disregarding sectoral and political considerations to maximally supply gas needed by all consumers in industrial, service, household, and other sectors.
He also underscored the need to improve the efficiency of facilities and equipment for optimal consumption management, stating that consumption efficiency is a cross-sector issue, with the law assigning responsibility to 13 different bodies.
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