Iraq Signs Initial Gas Purchase Deal with Iran

Iraq’s Electricity Ministry said Monday it has signed an initial agreement with Iran to import natural gas for power generation, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

The two countries have plans to install a pipeline through Iraq through which Iran will supply gas to two power plants in Baghdad. Iraq is expected to buy 25 million cubic meters of gas each day from Iran.

The gas pipeline will pass through Iraq’s Mansuriyah gas field near the Iranian border in Diyala province and expected to be operational in 18 months, QNA said.

Earlier in the year, Managing director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Javad Owji said initial supplies of gas to Iraq is expected to begin in the summer of this year.