Iranian Delegation to Visit Iraq to Discuss Gas Supplies

An Iranian delegation is scheduled to travel to Iraq next week to discuss details of Iran’s gas exports to Baghdad and Basra, the head of National Iranian Gas Exports Company said.

“The visit by Iranian delegation is to be done to discuss how to implement the contract for gas exports to Baghdad as of next calendar year (starts on March 21),” Ali-Reza Kameli was quoted by Shana News as saying.

He said that the Iranian delegates would discuss security challenges which have emerged following the terrorist attacks on gas facilities near Baghdad.

Kameli said the contract for gas exports to Basra is also to be finalized.

Iranian gas exports to Iraq will increase in the next two years after Iran starts transferring supplies via the two pipelines of Baghdad and Basra.

The second pipeline which passes through Shalamche-Basra route has a final capacity of 35 million cubic meters per day.

Iran's total gas exports to Iraq through the two Baghdad and Basra routes could be increased to 70 mcm/d, according to the officials of the National Iranian Gas Company.

The first gas pipeline between Iran and Iraq has been already been completed.