The phases were officially launched by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in March 2009.
More than 14 months after the inauguration, the experts say only 4 among 24 sea wells of phases 9 and 10 of the giant field are operational now.
Mir Kazemi himself stated that currently just 8 phases of South Pars are producing gas and the rest are in contract stage or to be completed.
He added that to make the other phases operational, the deals are to be signed with Iranian companies within the next days, "the preliminary stages have already begun and we are allocating special areas to contractors to enable them take the first steps and equip their workshops."
South Pars gas field, Iran's giant gas field which holds about eight percent of world gas reserves has a capacity of 50 million cubic meters natural gas per day. Development of the field has been sluggish due to the economic sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Nations over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.
The sanctions have caused several Western companies to be wary on investing in the development of the field. In their absence, opportunities were provided for Asian companies to become increasingly involved in Iranian gas projects, although currently even Asians cautiously approach Iranian oil industry.
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