BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 6. Iran may import gas from Russia to increase gas trade in the region, said Nersi Ghorban, Iranian analyst on energy issues, Trend reports.
The analyst noted that Iran has a water border with Russia. Based on this, it could use the routes of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan to import gas from Russia.
Ghorban added that thanks to the mentioned step Iran can eliminate the gas shortage in the northern regions of the country in winter and increase gas export through the south of the country.
“Russia is one of the main gas exporters in the world. Iran's gas import from Russia may enable Iran to export gas to Oman, Pakistan, and even India,” he said.
On May 31, 2023, Iranian Oil Minister, Javad Owji, told reporters that Iran intends to increase gas trade (import, export and swap) by holding discussions, signing a nuber of contracts and agreements with neighboring countries.
As reported, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkmenistan signed a contract on swap gas supplies in the Turkmen capital on November 28, 2021. The document provided for the supply of Turkmen gas to Azerbaijan through Iran in the amount of up to 1.5-2 billion cubic meters per year. The implementation of the contract began on January 1, 2022.
Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji signed a memorandum of understanding in Baku on June 3, 2022, according to which it was envisaged to double the supply of Turkmen gas to Azerbaijan through Iran.
Despite that Iran stands second in the world for gas reserves, with about 34 trillion cubic meters of gas, its share in world gas trade is less than 2 percent. Reportedly, Iran's gas production capacity is more than 1 billion cubic meters.
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