JSC Azerigaz temporarily suspended supplying gas to Iran for provision of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerigaz official told Trend. JSC representatives said due to the current upgrade of Nakhchivans gas transfer system it might not accept all gas supplied from Iran. As a result there are extra volumes of gas supplied to Iran from Azerbaijan and not transferred to NAR.
This year Azerigaz is planning to start the second stage of NARs gasification. This second stage requires finances in amount of 145bn manta. First stage of the project was evaluated at 360bn manat. A part of the funds (40%) was issued from the countrys state budget. Azerigaz itself issued the remaining part.
the second stage of the project includes provision of gas supply to remaining subscribers. Volume of supply is expected to rise to 250mln cubic meters. In 2007, this volume will be raised to 350mln. The gas will be pumped to Iran through Astara, and Iran, in turn, will supply the same volume of gas to Nakhchivan. The project stipulates gas supply to 25,000 consumers. There are in total 65‚959 consumers in Nakhchivan.