At the start of the current administration, capacity stood at 9.3
mcm/d, but projects including the East Karoun flare recovery plan, reductions
at South Pars refineries and commissioning of the Dehloran NGL-3100 unit have
lifted that figure by 114%, NIPNA reported.
The ministry said long-term projects centred on building natural gas
liquids (NGL) plants and modernising gas refineries will further expand
recovery to 55 mcm/d by 2028. Short-term initiatives, with capacity of 12
mcm/d, are being advanced through flare gas sales.
Private companies have been brought into the drive: seven projects
with capacity of 60 million cubic feet per day have started operations, nine
more with 118 mmcfd are under construction, and four projects totalling 20
mmcfd are in the contracting phase. The ministry also plans to auction 1
billion cubic feet per day of flare gas from 45 sites by September 2025.
Flaring – the burning of associated gas at oilfields – has long been a
visible feature of Iran’s energy sector but has drawn criticism for its
environmental impact and waste of resources. Officials say cutting flaring will
not only help balance the country’s energy system but also reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and support sustainable development.