Iran has announced plans to start exporting natural gas to Iraq by early to mid 2015, according to news site Zawya.
Iranian Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs Ali Majedi also said on Monday the supply of gas to Iraq will start after the completion of its pipeline, IRNA reported.
He noted that the Iranian and Iraqi sides are making serious efforts to build the pipeline to expedite the transfer of Iran’s rich gas resources to its Muslim neighbor.
Majedi had earlier informed that talks with Iraqi officials are underway to initiate the export of Iranian gas to Iraq.
The official then referred to Iran-Iraq-Syria deal for exporting Iranian gas to Europe via Iraq, Syria and the Mediterranean Sea.
Majedi said the project was halted due to lack of security in Syria, adding that it will be implemented when the situation normalises there.
Iran and Iraq have signed an agreement for the construction of a pipeline that will carry Iranian natural gas to feed power plants in the southern Iraqi province of Basra.
The 56-inch pipeline originating from Assalouyeh, near the massive offshore South Pars Gas Field in southern Iran, will feed three Iraqi power plants.
The pipeline will be designed in a way that it will be able to deliver gas to other Muslim countries like Jordan, Syria and Lebanon in future.
Iran, which sits on the world’s second largest natural gas reserves after Russia, is making efforts to raise gas output with the help of foreign and domestic investments, especially in the South Pars Gas Field.
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