Production from the world's largest gas field, South Pars, has exceeded 100 million cubic meters per day.
Managing director of Pars Special Energy Economic Zone Mahdi Karbassian as said that more than 105 million cubic meters of gas are extracted daily from phases 1-5 of the South Pars project.
The official further noted that several foreign firms have in the past month expressed their readiness to invest in the zone.
"There are some foreign companies willing to participate in construction projects, hotel building and rendering logistical services in the zone," he said.
He stressed that the zone's port complex, airport and water treatment plant would become operational by late 2005.
The complex would include two ports and 25 piers with a total annual capacity of 40 million tons of cargos and petrochemicals.
A U.S. company has been awarded phases 9 and 10 of the giant project to develop the South Pars.
Halliburton has won the bid together with an Iranian company which was identified as the Oriental.
The project to develop phases 9 and 10 involves 58 percent Iranian participation and 42 percent in the form of foreign investment. It is estimated to take 52 months to be completed.
The project includes onshore and offshore sections and its initial phase is to become operational by the first quarter of 2007.
Phases 9 and 10 are the first gas industry project in which a U.S. company is undertaking a major portion of investments.
South Pars, which is believed to be the world's largest gas field, is shared by Iran and Qatar.
It is estimated to hold almost 14.2 tcm of reserves -- equal to seven percent of the world's reserves and 38.6 percent of Iran's reserves.
South Pars field in the Persian Gulf has been divided into 25 phases.
Iran sits on the world's second largest proven gas reserves after Russia.
