Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Iran Discovers Major Gas Reserves Amid War and Sanctions
Iran says it found a very large natural gas field in Fars province.
The field contains about 7.5 trillion cubic feet of gas.
Experts estimate that around 5.7 trillion cubic feet could actually be taken out.
If developed, it could produce a lot of gas every day for 15 years.
This is important because Iran’s energy facilities have been damaged during the conflict.
Iranian homes use gas for cooking and heating, and gas also produces most of the country’s electricity.
However, the new field may not begin producing for several years.
Iran also needs more investment and technology to develop it and sell gas abroad.
Iran announced the discovery of 7.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in southern Fars province.
Officials estimate that about 5.7 trillion cubic feet could be recovered from the field.
The site could produce roughly one billion cubic feet of gas daily for 15 years.
Iran’s gas output has reportedly fallen by 230 million cubic metres per day after strikes damaged energy infrastructure.
Development may take years because Iran lacks sufficient investment, technology, and export capacity.
- Who
- Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad announced the discovery.
- What
- A natural gas field containing 7.5 trillion cubic feet was discovered, with an estimated 5.7 trillion cubic feet recoverable.
- When
- The announcement was made amid the ongoing West Asia conflict; a separate 10-trillion-cubic-foot discovery in the Pazan field was reported in October last year.
- Where
- Southern Fars province, Iran.
- Why
- The discovery could support Iran’s future gas supply and revenue as its energy infrastructure faces damage, sanctions, and reduced production.
- Estimated gas reserves
- 7.5 trillion cubic feet
- Estimated recoverable gas
- About 5.7 trillion cubic feet, based on a 72% recovery rate
- Potential production
- Around 1 billion cubic feet per day for 15 years
- Iran’s proven gas reserves
- An estimated 1,200 trillion cubic feet, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Domestic consumption
- Iran consumes about 94% of the gas it produces
- Largest gas-use sectors
- Residential consumption accounts for 41.5%; industry accounts for 36%, according to the International Energy Agency
- Electricity generation
- About 85% of Iran’s electricity is generated by gas-fired power plants