BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16
By Elnur Baghishov – Trend:
Iran intends to export gas to European countries given its great potential on gas exports, Deputy Oil Minister and Managing Director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), Hassan Montazer Torbati told the Shana news agency, Trend reports.
The director said that in this regard, Iran is researching the processes in the gas market.
“In addition, the negotiations are underway on the signing of contracts in connection with Iran's gas exports to Turkey. At present, the activities of the private sector in the Turkish gas market have increased. On the other hand, Turkey does not want to depend on any country on gas imports. Of course, a part of the Turkish gas market is supplied through Iran. The NIGC intends to hold talks with the private sector in this regard. If the talks yield positive results, several contracts can be signed between Iran and Turkey,” he noted.
Montazer Torbati added that discussions are also underway on Iran's gas exports to Afghanistan. A preliminary agreement is estimated to be reached in the next few months.
The deputy minister stressed that as for Iran's gas exports to Pakistan, Iran does not want to lose the Pakistani gas market. Accordingly, Iran has also created the infrastructure for gas exports and discussions are underway in this regard.
“During the visit of the director-general of the Central Bank of Iran to Iraq, a number of discussions were held on the payment of Iran's gas exports to Iraq. Based on this, Iran has increased gas exports to Iraq to some extent. Iran currently exports daily 15-20 million cubic meters of gas to Iraq. While in the last summer, Iran exported 40-45 million cubic meters of gas to Iraq per day,” the director said.
According to Montazer Torbati, Iran intends to increase gas trade with Turkmenistan. Because it is for the benefit of both countries.
As reported, Iran's gas production is estimated at 1 billion cubic meters per day at present.