BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 25. The entire debt for the Iran’s gas exports to Iraq was paid to Iran's account in the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), Iranian Deputy Oil Minister and CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Majid Chegeni told reporters, Trend reports.
He made the remark on the sidelines of the 1st conference on strengthening of natural gas facilities, production of equipment and gas transportation in Tehran on June 25.
“Currently, Iraq has no gas debt to Iran. But the problem is the transfer of funds from the Trade Bank of Iraq to Iran,” the deputy minister said.
Commenting on Iran's gas export to Türkiye, Chegeni added that discussions are currently underway between the two sides regarding the extension of the contract on Iran's gas export to Türkiye.
Regarding Iran's gas import from Turkmenistan, the CEO also pointed out that the discussions between the two countries about gas import are ongoing.
According to the deputy minister, at present, 309 million cubic meters of gas are supplied to thermal power stations in Iran daily.
Reportedly, Iran's gas export to Iraq is around 30-40 million cubic meters per day on average.
On May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany), and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018.
Over the past period, the sanctions affected Iranian oil exports, more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. The sanctions have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad.
Iran's Oil Minister Javad Owji announced in his statement on May 30 that Iran will sign a contract with Turkmenistan on the import of 10 million cubic meters of gas per day from Turkmenistan.
Iran exports only a small part of the gas produced in the country, about 6 percent. On average, Iran produces 1 billion cubic meters of gas daily.
The extension of the contract on Iran's gas export to Türkiye is on the agenda of the Iranian Oil Ministry and the National Iranian Gas Company. Iran's gas export contract to Türkiye expires in 2026.
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