Natural gas—often called the cleanest fossil fuel—forms the backbone of Iran’s energy security and has been pivotal to economic growth, public welfare, and cleaner air. This reference article traces the history and industrial evolution of gas supply across Iran, from the early days of flaring to today’s smart systems.
The Era of Extinguished Flames (before the 1960s / pre–SH 1340)
Before natural gas had commercial value, most associated gas was either flared or vented to the atmosphere. Lacking transmission technology and a consumer market, a resource that would later transform Iran’s energy system was largely wasted.
The 1960s (SH 1340s): First Sparks and Pioneering Projects
- Gachsaran–Marvdasht 215 km line: Gas was transferred to produce chemical fertilizer—Iran’s first industrial use of natural gas.
- Bidboland–USSR 1,100 km trunkline: Crossing Khuzestan, Fars, Isfahan, Qom, and Tehran, it enabled urban gas supply along the route and launched countertrade exports.
The 1970s (SH 1350s): Industry Consolidation and Entry into Exports
- National Iranian Gas Company (est. 1965 / SH 1344): Centralized production, transmission, and distribution.
- Khangiran field & Qom–Tehran 110 km line: Converted Tehran’s industries to gas.
- Naziabad (Tehran) pilot for household gas: A successful urban trial that paved the way to gasify the Sa’dabad Palace complex and northern Tehran.
Table 1 – Major gas supply projects up to the late 1970s
| Period | Project | Length/Capacity | Key outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| SH 1342–1344 (1963–1965) | Gachsaran–Marvdasht pipeline | 215 km, 10″ | Feedstock for the first chemical fertilizer plant |
| SH 1345–1349 (1966–1971) | Bidboland–USSR trunkline | 1,100 km, 42″ | Start of countertrade exports; urban gas to 5 major cities |
| SH 1350–1354 (1971–1976) | Khangiran field + Qom–Tehran line | 110 km | Gas-fired conversion of Tehran’s industries |
The 1980s (SH 1360s): Reconstruction and Energy Equity
Post-revolution policy emphasized rural development. Village gasification in Shosani and Zamani (1980 / SH 1359) marked the start of rural networks. Despite war, new trunklines, refinery master plans, and added compression capacity progressed.
The 1990s (SH 1370s): Engineering Self-Sufficiency and Urban Acceleration
Iranian teams assumed end-to-end responsibility for mapping, drilling, and project execution. Compressor stations became part of the urban soundscape in Tehran and Isfahan, wall-mounted gas valves replaced heavy LPG cylinders, household demand surged, and small industries rapidly switched to gas.
The 2000s & 2010s (SH 1380s–1390s): A Nationwide Network
- Urban coverage: from ~60% to 98%; over 1,200 cities connected.
- Rural coverage: from <10% to 88%; by 2021/22 (SH 1400) some 34,000 villages had access.
- South Pars: production exceeding 700 million m³/day powered nationwide supply and exports.
- High-pressure pipelines: thousands of kilometers of 42–56″ lines, CGS/TBS stations, and a nationwide SCADA backbone ensured stable distribution.
The 2020s (SH 1400s): Toward Full Connectivity and Smart Operations
Priority budgets target underserved regions, notably Sistan & Baluchestan. Flaring is being replaced by associated-gas recovery; smart meters and automatic regulators are being rolled out; new-generation cathodic protection enhances reliability and safety.
Iran’s Place in Global Gas
With roughly 17% of proven global reserves (over 32 Tcm), Iran ranks second after Russia. Annual output exceeds 270 Bcm. Export destinations include Türkiye, Iraq, Armenia, and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, while swap deals with Turkmenistan bolster regional supply security.
Core Infrastructure and Technologies
- Seamless and spiral-welded steel pipelines for high-pressure, cross-border transmission.
- PE (polyethylene) pipes in city networks for flexibility and chemical resistance.
- CGS/TBS stations for pressure reduction and online monitoring.
- SCADA, leak-detection sensors, and pressure/temperature dataloggers for smart control.
- CNG transport and LPG storage to serve areas beyond the pipeline grid.
Table 2 – Rural gasification coverage (SH 1359–1404 / ~1980–2025 target)
| Year (SH / Gregorian) | Villages connected | % of rural households |
|---|---|---|
| 1359 / ~1980–81 | 2 | ~0% |
| 1375 / ~1996–97 | 1,250 | 12% |
| 1385 / ~2006–07 | 8,700 | 41% |
| 1395 / ~2016–17 | 26,000 | 76% |
| 1400 / ~2021–22 | 34,000 | 85% |
| 1404 (target) / ~2025–26 | 38,000+ | 95% |
Exports and Energy Diplomacy
A 60% jump in export volumes in 2021 and a 79% rise in export value in 2022 underscore gas’s role in the trade balance. A five-year contract extension with Iraq and doubling exports to Armenia by 2030 strengthen Iran’s regional market outlook.
Conclusion
Iran’s gas story is a transition from wasteful flares to an intelligent, far-reaching network that has reshaped daily life, modernized industry, and reinforced the country’s geo-energy standing. Continued investment in infrastructure, localization of know-how, and parallel development of domestic and regional markets point toward a more sustainable, lower-carbon future.
