The Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company (IOECC) has finished a crucial new pipeline for Phase 16 of the South Pars gas field, a move that secures stable production from the aging offshore platform. 

The project manager, Mohammadreza Atefehpour, confirmed the completion on Monday, stating the new line was commissioned to replace an old, dilapidated pipeline that had been a cause for concern. 

Launched in February 2024 by Oil Minister Javad Owji with a planned budget of €130 million ($140.1 million), the project is hailed as a strategic undertaking for Iran's energy sector, expanding production capacity and bolstering energy security. 

Atefehpour noted that the modernization effort not only restores steady output from the platform but also represents a significant technical and managerial achievement for the country's oil and gas industry. 

The project faced considerable safety and engineering challenges, requiring innovative methods to ensure the new pipeline's operational integrity.

According to Atefehpour, the initiative has also played a pivotal role in advancing domestic expertise and technology localization within the industry, which was necessary to overcome the challenges and deliver the critical project.   

By successfully completing the project, IOECC has demonstrated its capacity to handle complex infrastructure projects independently, reducing reliance on foreign technology and services. 

The new pipeline is expected to be a key component in maintaining Iran’s natural gas production capabilities from one of the world's largest gas fields.