South Pars gas field

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict that began on February 28, Israel carried out a strike on Iran’s key offshore natural gas facility, the South Pars gas field, on March 18. The attack marks the largest assault on Iran’s energy infrastructure since hostilities began. The Qatari section of the field is known as the North Field.

The South Pars gas field, located in the Persian Gulf, is the world’s largest natural gas reserve. It holds an estimated 1,800 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas, sufficient to meet global energy demand for over a decade. The field has been operational since 2002 and contributes nearly 75% of Iran’s total gas production, making it central to the country’s energy security.

This strike is particularly noteworthy as it represents only the second instance of attacks by Israel and the United States targeting Iran’s downstream energy facilities since the conflict began. Analysts suggest the move could signal a strategic shift toward targeting critical economic infrastructure.

Iran’s oil and gas production is heavily concentrated in its southwestern regions. The Khuzestan province serves as the hub for oil production, while Bushehr province hosts major gas and condensate operations linked to South Pars.

Source: IE