Gazprom Officials in Iran to Discuss Cooperation

The first coordination meeting of Russian energy company Gazprom with National Iranian Gas Company was held in Tehran.

Alexander Ivanovich Medvedev and Vitaly Markelov, the deputy chairmen of the management committee of Gazprom, discussed engineering, implementation, operation, trade, and research issues with Azizollah Ramezani, the director for international affairs of the National Iranian Gas Company, Shana news agency reported on December 23.

The two sides have defined grounds for cooperation in the frame of five working groups. The Russian officials lead a 25-member team to Iran.

Medvedev said in June that Gazprom may also take part in liquefied natural gas projects in Iran once sanctions against Tehran are lifted.

“Gazprom does not rule out its participation in these projects under certain conditions,” Reuters quoted Medvedev as saying.

Meanwhile, a senior official of the company said in November that Gazprom is ready to invest in Iran’s gas exploration and production projects.

“Gazprom’s cooperation with Iran will be mostly in exploration and production sectors,” IRNA news agency quoted the official who wanted not to be named. “We are hoping to transfer new technologies to Iran in this field.”

“Although Iran could be a rival for Russia in the gas sector in the future, this issue will not hinder us from cooperating with Iran.”

Gazprom is willing to cooperate with Iran after the sanctions imposed on the country have been lifted. This cooperation will be beneficial for both sides, the official said.