Commencement of Load-Out and Installation Operations for the SP11A Jacket of South Pars Phase 11: A Symbol of National Capability in Gas Field Development
Load-out and installation operations for the SP11A wellhead jacket, a key structure of the Phase 11 South Pars Development Project, have officially begun in the presence of the Governor of Bushehr Province, the CEO of Petropars Group, the CEO of SADRA Company, project managers from Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC), and Petropars representatives.
According to the Public Relations and International Affairs Department of Petropars Group, Dr. Hamid-Reza Saghafi, CEO of Petropars Group, described this milestone as a powerful demonstration of national engineering capability in the oil and gas sector. He stated:
“Today we stand before a monumental structure that embodies the technical excellence and sustained efforts of Iranian specialists. The load-out of the SP11A jacket is not merely an engineering operation—it is a clear symbol of the nation’s competence in advancing the South Pars megaproject.”
Dr. Saghafi provided detailed technical specifications of the jacket, noting that it stands 76.5 meters high and weighs over 4,063 tons, including 2,257 tons for the main body, 1,585 tons for the piles, and more than 200 tons of appurtenances. The structure measures 20 × 24 meters at the topside interface and 33 × 38 meters at the seabed. It is designed to support 4,200 tons of topside load, with piles driven to a depth of 107 meters below the seabed.
He further emphasized the use of S420 high-strength steel, which enhances structural integrity, reduces weight, and increases overall safety margins. Construction of the jacket required more than 13,200 meters of welding, and a cathodic protection system incorporating 191 aluminum anodes with a total weight of 530 kilograms has been installed.
Dr. Saghafi noted:
“The load-out and installation of the SP11A jacket mark the beginning of a decisive phase in developing Phase 11. Following its transport to the offshore location, installation operations will be completed within 45 working days, after which drilling of 15 development wells will commence. In the first stage, six wells will be drilled and completed to enable the installation of the topside and the start of gas production.”
He added that the designed production capacity of the 11A platform is approximately 1 billion standard cubic feet per day (BSCFD), a volume that will significantly contribute to meeting domestic demand and reducing winter gas shortages.
Mr, Ali Nadiran, Director of the Phase 11 Development Project, reported that gas production in the past year increased from approximately 500 MMSCFD to more than 800 MMSCFD following delivery of the SPD11B processing platform and the completion of several key wells. He noted that construction of the second jacket of Phase 11—an over 4,000-ton structure completed with 840,000 incident-free man-hours—is nearing its installation phase. According to the project plan, gas production from the second platform is scheduled to begin in autumn 2027, and by 2029, with all wells completed, total output will increase by 28 million cubic meters per day.
Dr. Saghafi emphasized that Phase 11 is among the most technically complex projects in South Pars and that its progress reflects exceptional coordination among the Ministry of Petroleum, Pars Oil and Gas Company, Petropars Group, and domestic contractors. He underscored the indispensable contribution of Petropars’ field teams, stating:
“Every Petropars employee can take pride in this achievement, as their dedication has turned a national commitment into a tangible accomplishment.”
He concluded by acknowledging the leadership of the Minister of Petroleum, the support of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), the diligent efforts of POGC, and the role of SADRA in constructing the jacket.
“With the implementation of Phase 11 and the Infill Drilling Program in South Pars, Petropars has increased the field’s production capacity by more than 380 MMSCFD in the past year alone. As the SP11A jacket sails toward its offshore destination, it carries with it the flag of Iranian engineering excellence—a testament to national capability, industrial confidence, and the enduring strength of the nation's energy sector.”