Baghdad – Naglaa El Ta’ee
Iranian Oil Minister, Beigen Zangana announced on Sunday that Iran is going to export gas to Iraq with a pass-through card of 50 million cubic meters.
According to Iranian “Fares” news agency, Zangana said that the operation will happen during April, adding that most countries wish to extend the freeze production agreement with OPEC, and Iran supports that decision and will respect its end of the deal.
An Iranian official announced early that the amount of the exported gas to Iraq in the first phase will be 5 million cubic meters per day, at the same time the Iranian Oil minister confirmed that Iran doesn’t mind the entry of US companies into its oil sector.
Iraq and Iran signed an agreement in 2013, which states that Iran will export gas to Iraq to feed 3 powe stations in Baghdad and Diyala, but after 3 years the exports are still suspended.
According to agreement, the exporting operation will be to Baghdad and Basra. The Iranian Oil ministry announced the beginning of the first phase with 25 million cubic meters per day, with the possibility to raise the amount to 35 million cubic meters in hot days.
Iranian Energy minister said in last February that, his country will resume exporting electricity to Iraq after opening a credit line. Iraq consumes 70% of its gas production, and is considered to be OPEC's second largest oil producer, after Saudi Arabia.