Turkmenistan reduces gas export to Iran by over 60 pct
Iran has imported 4 billion bcm of gas from Turkmenistan since
March 19, 2012, Deputy Oil Minister Javad Owji said, Trend news
agency reported referring to Mehr agency.
He said that Turkmenistan is currently exporting from 15 to 20 mcm
of gas to Iran daily.
According to Iranian official statistics, Turkmenistan exported
11.8 bcm of gas to Iran during the last Solar year, which ended on
March 19.
The current year's figure indicates more than 60 percent drop in
Turkmenistan's gas exports to Iran.
Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi said in early September 2012
that Turkmenistan halted gas exports to Iran.
Mehr news agency reported that Iran's debts to Turkmenistan have
surpassed $1 billion because of difficulties related to Iran's
banking system being crippled by the international sanctions.
According to contracts signed between Iran and Turkmenistan, the
latter is obliged to export 40 bcm of gas to Iran.
Two weeks ago Fars news agency reported citing the official within
Iran's Oil Ministry, who said anonymously that Iran and
Turkmenistan agreed to change the payment method, choosing the
barter system.
Turkmenistan promised to renew gas exports to Iran. As part of the
barter trade, Iran is obliged to send oil industry equipment to
Turkmenistan, who in turn would export gas to its neighbor.
Turkmenistan has not made any official statements regarding this
issue.