TEHRAN Nov. 04 (Shana) � Phase 17 development of the massive South Pars gas field will become operational in less than a month producing nearly half a million cubic feet of natural gas, the phase's project manager said.

Houman Lohrasbi, an official with Iranian Offshore Engineering Construction (IOEC), said the gas recovered from Phase 17 of the supergiant South Pars gas field will reach 0.5 mcf by the next few days.

He said platform of the phase will come on-stream in the next few days producing 400 kcf which is planned to cross 500 mcf after 21 days.

Given the fact that recovery of gas from the adjacent Phase 18 platform started with acceptable pressure, Phase 17'th gas is expected to be produced at an acceptable pressure level.
He said pre-startup operations at the platform are 99.5% complete and its startup has reached 87%.

Development plan of phases 17&18 is underway with the aim of producing 50 mcm of gas, 80 barrels of gas condensate and 400 tons of sulfur per day.
An Iranian consortium comprising Iran�s Industrial Development and Renovation Organization (IDRO), Oil Industries Engineering and Construction Company (OIEC) and Iran�s Offshore Engineering and Construction Company (IOEC) respectively with 48, 31 and 21 percent is in charge of developing the phases.

By SHANA