Managing director of Iran's Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC) announced on Sunday that one month's ultimatum has been given to Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to finalize the contract for phases 22, 23 and 24 of South Pars.
Ali Vakili said if TPAO refrains from signing the contract during this period talks will begin with domestic and foreign companies.
POGC and TPAO signed a memorandum of understanding in 2008 for developing South Pars phases 22, 23 and 24.
During a visit by the Turkish delegation in November 2008, plans for the construction of an 1800-kilometer pipeline for transferring natural gas from Assaluyeh to the Turkish border was discussed. The objective was to increase the volume of Iran's gas exports to Turkey, and the transit of natural gas to Europe.
Currently Iran exports 50 million cubic meters of natural gas to Turkey daily and with the implementation of this plan another 23 million cubic meters would be added to that figure.