TEHRAN, Iran, Feb. 22
Trend:
Iran and Qatar are negotiating to create a gas swap to transfer gas to Iraq, energy expert Morteza Behrouzifar told Trend in an interview
Iraq's gas shortage has led to power outages and security problems. Iran is not able to export sufficient gas to Iraq, therefore Baghdad seeks to solve its needs by buying gas from Qatar, he said.
"Iran would be a logical route for Iraq to import gas from Qatar. Iran can transit LNG or swap gas from Qatar to Iraq. This plan is technically possible since Iran has the infrastructure," Behrouzifar indicated.
The Northern Dome Gas Condensate field in Qatar is a joint field with Iran's South Pars, and Iran can install an onshore pipeline to transfer gas from Qatar to the network in Iraq.
"There is no technical problem in the plan, however, the gas swap could not compensate for Iran's export revenues but any energy transfer through Iran would boost security and economy," he added.
Behrouzifar went on to say that Europe seeks to reduce its reliance on Russia's gas, Iran has the second biggest gas reserves in the world and Qatar is the biggest gas producer in the world therefore this cooperation would facilitate gas export to Europe.
Iran's domestic gas consumption is high and the country does not have surplus gas to export but the possible JCPOA revival would create the possibility to use new technologies, reduce consumption, increase production and export.
Iran and Qatar will discuss gas swap, common stances in the global market and form a joint study group on the sidelines of the upcoming GECF in Doha.