Deputy Oil Minister: Iran Plans to Extend Gas Contract with Iraq
Iran and Iraq have agreed to form a working group on gas exports to the power plants in Baghdad, Chegeni said, adding that the group which is comprised of Iranian and Iraqi experts will work on the extension of the contract before the end of 2023.
Referring to the recent meeting between Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji and Iraqi Minister of Electricity Ziyad Ali Fazel in Tehran, Chegeni underlined the two countries’ willingness to develop ties in the gas sector.
Iran has been meeting a major part of Iraq’s energy needs for long years, he said, adding Baghdad is eagerly seeking to extend the gas contract.
Iraq imports electricity and gas from Iran that total between a third and 40% of its power supply, especially crucial in sweltering summer months when temperatures can top 50 Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) and power consumption peaks.
Iran exported $4 billion worth of gas to neighboring Iraq in the last Persian calendar year of 1401 (March 21, 2022 to March 20, 2023), according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).
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