TEHRAN: Iran’s gas exports have increased by more than one million cubic meters (mcm) during the first 11 months of the previous Iranian calendar year (ended March 20, 2015) compared to the corresponding period a year before.
According to Petroleum Ministry’s SHANA news agency, the country exported 26.8 mcm natural gas during the aforesaid period. The figure showed a year-on-year increase of 1.4 mcm.
The report added that Iran’s average gas exports from 2011 to 2013 amounted to 25.4 mcm, 25.5 mcm, and 26 mcm, respectively, and the figure is expected to further increase during the current Iranian year (started March 21, 2015).
During past years Iran, which sits on the world’s largest gas reserves, has implemented plans to enhance production and export of natural gas by increasing foreign and domestic investment, especially in its South Pars gas field.
The country is currently exporting gas to Turkey and is set to start gas exports to its western neighbor, Iraq, by May.
On April 12, Managing director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Hamid Reza Araqi was quoted by Shana as saying that the Islamic Republic is ready to export natural gas to Kuwait via a pipeline, which is being built to transfer Iran’s gas to its western neighbor, Iraq.
The official stated that increasing the export of Iran’s natural gas is among the main goals of the Islamic Republic’s Sixth Economic Development Plan, which is expected to start next year.
On April 13, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the country has what it takes to become a supplier of natural gas to Europe.
