SHANA � The CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) said drilling of the first appraisal well in Ghezel Tappeh Reservoir, Golestan, had started to develop the Middle East�s largest gas storage facility.

According to NIGC, Hassan Montazer Torbati outlined the status of studies and implementation of seven natural gas storage projects in Iran, announcing that the selection of the project developer for Shurijeh gas storage project would be by BOT method.

He also said that drilling of the first appraisal well in Ghezel Tappeh, Golestan, had started.

The official said that the projects would bolster tolerance of the gas distribution network to meet the need for gas especially in the cold.