South Pars (Phase 13)

South Pars (Phase 13) Gas Field Profile

Location and Geology

• The South Pars (Phase 13) Gas Field is located offshore in the Persian Gulf, within Iran's territorial waters, approximately 100 km from the southern coastline of Iran.
• It is part of the larger South Pars/North Dome gas field, which is the world's largest natural gas field, sharing a border with Qatar's North Dome gas field.

Project Details

• Operator and Owner: The project is operated and owned by the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) through its subsidiary, Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC).
• Discovery Year: The field was discovered in 1990.
• Final Investment Decision (FID) Year: The exact FID year is not specified, but development began as part of the broader South Pars project phases.
• Production Start Year: Phase 13 was commissioned in March 2019.

Production Capacity

• The production design capacity for Phase 13 is approximately 3 billion cubic feet (85 million cubic meters) of gas per day.
• In addition to gas, the phase also produces gas condensate, with a design capacity of about 27.38 million barrels per year.

Infrastructure and Development

• Phase 13 involves the development of 38 wells, four offshore platforms, and several pipelines.
• The offshore elements of this phase are critical for the Persian LNG project, which aims to utilize the gas produced from this phase as feedstock.
• The development of Phase 13 was initially planned as a joint venture between NIOC, Shell, and Repsol, but due to various delays and geopolitical issues, the project was eventually awarded to an Iranian consortium including companies like Mapna, SADRA, and Petro Pidar.

Challenges and Repairs

• The South Pars Phase 13 Alpha platform faced significant delays due to severe structural damage caused by a commercial vessel. However, the platform underwent repairs and renovations and was ready to start producing gas by June 2024.

Economic and Strategic Importance

• Phase 13 is crucial for Iran's energy sector, contributing significantly to the country's gas production. The gas produced will be used as feedstock for the Persian LNG project, enhancing Iran's capability to export liquefied natural gas.

Environmental and Technical Considerations

• The field is located at a water depth of about 65 meters, and the gas reservoirs are approximately 3,000 meters below the seabed.
• The project involves complex offshore engineering, including the construction of platforms and the laying of pipelines to ensure efficient gas production and transportation.

In summary, the South Pars (Phase 13) Gas Field is a key component of Iran's energy strategy, contributing to the country's significant gas reserves and production capabilities, and is integral to the broader development of the South Pars/North Dome gas field.