Iraq, Iran discuss the transfer of gas from Turkmenistan
A gas facility. Photo: AFP
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Minister of Electricity, Ziyad Ali Fadel, said that talks are underway to transfer gas from Turkmenistan to Iraq via Iran.
Fadel explained that if all parties agree, Iraq might get Turkmen gas as early as this summer, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
A protocol detailing the main commercial terms of the deal was signed by officials of Turkmenistan and Iraq in November 2023.
The deal will allow Turkmen gas to be sent to Iraq via Iran in a five-year timeframe.
Iraq reportedly finished all the requirements needed to start importing gas from Turkmenistan in January 2024. The primary cause of the delivery’s planned deferral is the requirement to negotiate a thorough arrangement with Iran, the country of transit.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan said in October that the country will sell 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually to Iraq through a swap arrangement with Iran.
The gas-rich central Asian country has a pipeline that connects to Iran, which borders Iraq.
The Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan did not provide details about potential swaps but mentioned that Iraq was interested in a five-year agreement.
Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding in October with Turkmenistan to import the gas it needs to operate its power plants, according to the Ministry of Electricity, which indicated that the step requires additional negotiations related to the mechanism of transporting gas through Iran.
Power plants in Iraq depend on gas imports from Iran, which cover one-third of the country’s energy needs.
The Iraqi Electricity Minister said earlier that Iraq will receive gas from Turkmenistan through the pipeline network in Iran linked to Iraq to finally reach power plants in Iraq.