Speaking on Sunday, April 26, during a visit to the National Iranian Gas
Company, Aref expressed gratitude to the managers, engineers, experts, and
workers, stating, “We were aware of the high scientific capacity and spiritual
morale of the staff of the Ministry of Petroleum and the National Iranian Gas
Company, and we believed they would not allow people’s lives to be disrupted.”
“The enemy spared no effort to strike vital infrastructure and create
public dissatisfaction,” Aref added, “but the oil and gas sector employees
performed outstandingly and succeeded in repairing the damage from the enemy’s
attacks in a short period.”
The First Vice President highlighted the alignment between the field, the
government, and the people, emphasizing that the populace led the nation
through the recent imposed war.
He asserted that the unity and cohesion present at all levels of governance
are the “secret to the victory of the Iranian nation.”
Domestic Capabilities Drive Gas Refinery Reconstruction
Saeed Tavakkoli, CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company, elaborated on the
ministry’s decision to task his company with the reconstruction and
construction of two gas refineries.
He noted this was a first for the Ministry of Petroleum, demonstrating
confidence in the company’s engineering, technical, and operational
capabilities.
Tavakkoli detailed the technical management of the national gas network
during wartime and peak consumption periods, reporting stable gas supply to
households, rapid repair of damaged facilities, and an intact fuel supply
chain.
He confirmed that despite damage to sweet gas production capacity, the
national gas grid was managed without interruption, and efforts are underway to
restore lost capacity before winter.
He also acknowledged government support, stating that since September 2024,
even during one of the longest and coldest winters on record, there were no gas
disconnections for residential consumers. This achievement, he attributed to
the integrated management of the oil and gas industry from upstream to
downstream.
Tavakkoli further noted that in the past Iranian year (ending March 2026),
the network’s performance improved. Gas deliveries to power plants increased
significantly, reducing fuel oil consumption and ensuring that the country
entered winter with full liquid fuel reserves. Current fuel oil storage levels
are described as “optimal” due to maximized gas supply to power plants, with no
power plants facing fuel shortages.
Integrated Fuel Supply Chain Credited with Overcoming Crisis
The official stressed that the country navigated a severe crisis due to a
“complete and cohesive fuel supply chain.”
He highlighted the seamless coordination between the National Iranian Oil
Company (upstream), the National Gas Company (downstream), and the National
Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company in product supply. This synergy,
he stated, ensured a stable supply of gas condensate for gasoline production,
sustained petrochemical feedstock, and prevented gas flaring, with visible
positive effects across the energy sector.
Consumption Management and Optimization
Tavakkoli also pointed to the successful delegation of fuel consumption
management to the Ministry of Interior and provincial governors in 2024 as a
strategic step towards national cohesion.
This approach, he explained, moved beyond sectoral considerations towards a
more comprehensive management of consumption.
While acknowledging an existing deficit in the national gas network,
Tavakkoli stated that plans are in place to compensate for a significant
portion of this imbalance before the onset of winter.