Tehran, Iran, Oct.18
Trend:
Iran should target the neighboring countries markets in the short term and, Europe and East Asia in the long term, Morteza Bahroozifar, a faculty member of Iran Institute of International Energy Studies, told Trend.
Regarding Iran's plan to increase its gas exports, he says Iran has the second biggest gas reserves in the word.
"Iran could be one of the biggest gas exporters. However, the sanctions since 1978 have affected the development of the gas and oil fields," Bahroozifar said.
“It should not be forgotten that the development of the gas sector requires foreign investment and technology. However, in recent years, since the beginning of the exploitation of South Pars gas field, the country's production went on ahead of its consumption and, indeed, export opportunities have been provided.”
Referring to the export targets of Iran's gas, Behroozifar said that the moment Turkey is the largest export destination with almost 8 billion cubic meters a year, and also a small amount is exported to Iraq, and Iran also has gas swaps with Azerbaijan.
"Opportunity to increase gas production is there," he said.
"The expansion of exports requires development of joint reserves, especially with Qatar. On the other hand, considering the energy intensity and high consumption of gas in the Iranian industry, by implementing the necessary measures, we can reduce consumption to improve the welfare of society, in other words, by reducing the gas consumption, it is possible to increase exports, he said.
"We need to focus on neighboring markets in the short term, and then in the long run, to think about European markets through the pipeline and Southeast Asia market, with the expansion of the LNG sector," Bahroozifar said.