NIGC: Gas exports hike
Europe seeks imports from Iran
The head of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) said on Sunday that his country’s gas exports have increased.
Majid Chegeni, who made the announcement ahead of Government Week (August 24-30), added Iran’s natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have jumped 16 and 22 percent, respectively, since the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2023), Shana reported.
According to the latest OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin (ASB), he continued, Iran’s natural gas exports hit 18.43 billion and 18.79 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2021 and 2022, respectively, showing over 60 percent growth compared to the related figure in 2020. The hikes in gas exports during the past two years were recorded while Iran faced gas imbalance in winter 2021, said Chegeni, adding that the country, however, not only exported gas as stipulated in the contracts, but also boosted their annual volumes.
Touching upon Europe’s energy needs, he said European states have held talks with Iran on importing gas through Turkey, adding that the negotiations have yet to come to fruition.
Chegeni also said the extension of the contract on exporting gas to Iraq will be finalized soon.
Turkey is also willing to extend its gas contract with Iran, he stated, adding that gas talks on exports to Oman, revival of the contract with Pakistan, and trade with Russia are ongoing. Shifting to a gas swap deal with Turkmenistan, the NIGC CEO said the volume of gas Iran receives from this country has soared to eight million cubic meters per day from 4.5 mcm/d following the settlement of Iran’s debt in three installments.
Tehran and Yerevan extended their agreement until 2030, under which Iran exports more natural gas to Armenia in exchange for electricity, he said.