District 4, Beating Heart of Iran Gas
Mehdi Mehrabi
Sustained gas supply in northeastern Iran was always a major cause of concern for Iranian gas industry officials mainly due to Turkmenistan’s non-compliance with its commitments to Iran. The district 4 gas transmission area has become key in Iran’s gas distribution as it feeds northern and northeastern provinces.
Mohammad Kamel, CEO of Gas Transmission Operations District 4, has spoken to "Iran Petroleum" to outline the activities under way in District 4.
First of all, could you please tell us about gas transmission operation in District 4?
Holding about 33.8 tcm of naturalgas, equal to 16% of the world’s reserves, 48% of the Middle East’s and 38% of OPEC members’ total gas reserves, Iran is ranked the first in the Middle East and the second in the world in terms of gas reserves. Therefore, the country enjoys a special status in the energy sector. In the meantime, the safest and most appropriate way for gas transmission would be to lay out pipelines. To handle gas distribution while preserving this national asset, the Iran Gas Transmission Company (IGTC) has been divided into 10 districts. District 4 with more than 5,600 km of pipeline, seven production centers and three gas compressor stations covering more than 320,000 of land, is the second largest gas transmission zone, tasked with guaranteeing sustainable gas distribution in the provinces of North Khorasan, South Khorasan and Khorasan Razavi and part of Semnan Province. District 4 gas transmission is the beating heart of eastern Iran. District 4’s gas is supplied by the Iran gas trunkline, as well as Shahid Hasheminjejad refinery. Our mission is sustainable transmission of clean and safe gas across the zone. Transmission of about 100 mcm/d of natural gas to more than 75 cities and major consumers including Shariati power plant, Mashhad power plant, Tous power plant, Neishabour power plant, Shirvan 1 power plant, Shirvan 2 power plant, Ferdowsi power plant and Qaen power plant, Bojnourd petrochemical plant, Khorasan steel mill, Mashhad cement plant, Jajarm casting plant, aluminum industry, Zavareh cement plant, Qaen cement plant as well as Neishabour steel mill.
How much gas has been transmitted from District 4 over recent years?
Given the extent of territory covered by the district, about 28.9 bcm of gas was transmitted from this district last calendar year.
How are safety conditions of pipes, leak detection and pigging?
Based on monthly schedules we regularly inspect pipelines in order to ensure the safety of pipes. Last calendar year, more than 5,400 km of pipe underwent leak detection. Furthermore, in a bid to guarantee the stability of gas transmission, 89km of pigging was done in the pipes.
What has been done with regard to fighting the coronavirus outbreak?
Despite the outbreak of Covid-19, gas supply has continued without any halt. Crisis management committees have been set up to take action against the coronavirus outbreak, collective activities like training courses, cultural meetings. In addition, congregational prayer rooms and restaurants were shut down to contain the virus spread. Telecommuting for at-risk populations and those with underlying diseases, reducing staff, cancelling non-emergency assignments, shutting down guesthouses, holding meetings through videoconference and respecting social distancing are among the major policies adopted for containing the Covid-19 outbreak.
Among effective measures undertaken for preventing the pandemic, employees’ clock in, offices, corridors, elevators,