Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 29
By Fatih Karimov - Trend: Iran plans to export 5 million cubic meters of gas per day to Iraq's Basra after signing a contract between the two countries.
Director of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), Hassan Montazer Torbati, said the gas transfer would be carried out through existing pipelines in the southwestern city of Khoramshahr and by extending the pipeline 25 kilometers, Shana news agency reported Sept. 29.
"The pipelines have been planned and we are prepared to implement the project as soon as the contract for exporting Iran's gas to Basra is signed," he added.
The neighboring countries are planning to inaugurate a gas torch along Iran-Iraq border, the official added that "the pipeline for exporting Iran's gas to Iraq is experiencing final tests".
Torbati further added that the Iranian party has provided the required infrastructure for extending its gas pipeline into Iraqi territory. He then elaborated on his organization's plans to construct five gas compressor stations in Iran's southern counties of Khonj and Jahrom as well as central county of Naiin and also in Kashan city.
The two countries signed a basic agreement for the export of natural gas from Iran 's South Pars gas field to Iraq back in 2013.
Based on the agreement, a daily of 25 mcm of gas will be delivered to Sadr, Baghdad and al-Mansouryah power plants through the 270-kilometer pipeline.
The project has been long in the offing as it has been delayed over security concerns in Iraq.
Edited by CN