Method, apparatus and system for improved energy efficiency in a direct reduction iron production process which uses a direct reduction shaft furnace and syngas as the reduction gas. The method and system of the invention use a part of the top gas emanating from the shaft furnace as transport gas for the gasifier, and control the volume of the top gas used as recycled top gas or fuel for the gas heater. The present invention achieves high energy efficiency, and reduces the need to use additional CH4 source for the reduction gas.