Gas Transmission Network Ready for Iran's Winter Peak Demand

The CEO of Iran Gas Transmission Company said the national gas transmission network is fully prepared for the upcoming cold season, following extensive maintenance, continuous monitoring of pipelines and facilities, operational planning, and strengthened regional capabilities to ensure a stable gas supply during winter peak demand.

Peyman Khazraei explained that the company’s operational regions play a critical role in the country’s energy chain by receiving natural gas from production fields and processing plants, then delivering it safely, reliably, and efficiently to urban distribution networks, power plants, and industrial consumers.

He emphasized that the company's primary mission is to connect gas production with end users across even the most remote parts of the country, ensuring uninterrupted access to this essential energy source throughout the winter.

Khazraei said key measures to safeguard gas flow during severe weather include completing preventive maintenance on compressor stations and high-pressure pipelines before winter, conducting continuous and intelligent pipeline monitoring—particularly in mountainous and hard-to-reach areas—and deploying rapid response teams at strategic locations to quickly address any potential incidents.

Linking Production, Distribution

According to Khazraei, while the gas industry operates as an integrated value chain, the transmission sector carries the heaviest operational responsibility during the winter months by serving as the vital link between production and distribution.

He noted that a range of operational scenarios has been developed for colder regions to ensure full preparedness under different weather conditions, pressure fluctuations, and emergency situations. Regular drills are conducted so that the most effective operational decisions can be implemented without delay.

Technical Challenges During Winter

Khazraei identified several major technical challenges facing the transmission network during the cold season, including sharp pressure fluctuations caused by sudden increases in demand, freezing of critical equipment, landslides in mountainous areas, difficult access to sections of the pipeline network, and the continuous operation of gas turbines at or above their designed capacity.

Real-Time Monitoring, Advanced Technologies

The CEO said gas volumes entering and leaving the transmission network are monitored in real time using data-driven systems, with close coordination between the national dispatch center, company headquarters, and regional operating teams. This around-the-clock collaboration enables immediate action whenever pressure drops or supply imbalances are detected.

He added that modern technologies—including leak detection systems, intelligent pipeline inspection tools, online monitoring platforms, surveillance of critical network assets, management dashboards, and computerized maintenance systems—have largely replaced traditional monitoring methods. These technologies improve the ability to detect and predict potential issues before they develop into operational problems.

Consumption Management Remains Essential

Khazraei warned that, in addition to the country's ongoing energy imbalance, this winter's gas sector faces the added challenge of reduced production caused by damage to parts of the gas production infrastructure.

While infrastructure readiness remains the company's top priority, he stressed that responsible gas consumption by households and industries, together with coordination among relevant authorities, will play a decisive role in maintaining the stability of the national gas network.

He concluded that public cooperation in following efficient consumption practices, alongside the around-the-clock efforts of gas transmission personnel, will be key to ensuring a reliable gas supply across the country throughout the winter. - Shana