Iran's oil minister said Saturday that phases nine and ten of the South Pars natural gas field will become operational in the near future, the oil ministry's Shana news web site reports.
Gholam Hossein Nozari said the first train of South Pars phase 10 has been completed, with sweet gas from the phase running through the country's national grid, Shana reports Saturday.
Nozari said he is hopeful the second train of phase 10 will be operational within the next two weeks, according to Shana.
The Iranian oil minister added that the development South Pars phases nine and ten are a top priority for the Islamic republic's Oil Ministry and that despite "limitations," the projects will come on- stream this winter, reports Shana.
Iran's state Irna news agency reports Saturday that South Pars phases nine and ten will join the country's natural gas network between Feb. 1-10, during ceremonies marking the anniversary of the country's 1979 Revolution.
Phases 9 and 10 are slated to produce two billion cubic feet of sweet gas a day, according to Shana.