Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 13
By Dalga Khatinoglu – Trend:
Iran, after having prioritized the development of Tous gas field in its north-eastern regions on the border with Turkmenistan, is now planning to start gas exploration in those regions.
The decision comes two weeks after Turkmenistan cut gas flow to Iran.
Iran prioritized five regions, including Abadan, joint oil fields in Persian Gulf, north and south Dezful (in southwest) as well as Koppeh Dagh (or Kopet Dag) located on the border with Turkmenistan, said Seyyed Asghar Hendi, oil minister's legal and international affairs consultant, ISNA reported Jan. 13.
He said these regions have higher risks, but are important to be explored.
Mohammad Mam Beigi, the managing director of East Oil & Gas Production Co., told IRNA Jan. 10 that Iran prioritizes development of Tous gas field, the second upstream gas project after Khangiran in the country’s north-eastern part.
“Astan Quds Razavi Holding would develop that,” he said.
Tous contains 60 billion cubic meters (bcm) of sour gas and Iran projects to produce 4 million cubic meters per day (mcm/d) of gas from the field, he said.
Currently, only Khangiran field in northeast of Iran is operating with nearly 48 mcm/d of gas production.
Turkmenistan cut gas flow to Iran on January 1 due to a dispute over gas price and violation of take-or-pay term of the sides’ agreement.
Iran doubled gas import from Turkmenistan in 2015 to 9 bcm, but according to the agreement, it should have imported 14 bcm.
During a period from 2006 to 2016, Iran imported about 74.35 bcm of Turkmen gas, the official statistics of Iran’s Oil Ministry indicates. But based on the agreement, which was amended in 2007, Iran should have imported 130 bcm of Turkmen gas.