Iran-Iraq Gas Pipeline to be Ready by Month End

The pipeline that will transport Iranian gas to Iraq will be complete by month end, managing director of the Iranian Gas Engineering and Development Company said.

The Iran-Iraq natural gas pipeline will become operational by August 22, he said.

According to Shana News, Alireza Gharibi said that testing on 100 kilometers of the pipeline has come to an end.

"At present, we are discharging water from the pipeline and after a few final tests, which will take to the end of this (Iranian) month, the pipeline will be ready for exports," he stated.

Gas exports to Baghdad will start with a daily volume of 4 mcm which could increase to 35 mcm/d.

A second gas deal is expected to be signed next year between the two nations. Post the six year deal Iran will start supplying 5mcm/d of gas to Basra. The deal require Iran to raise gas exports to Basra to 30 mcm/d, Shana added.

Gas delivery to Basra would come from Iran Gas Trunkline VI (IGAT 6) which transfers gas from the giant offshore South Pars gas field in southern Iran to the border province of Khuzestan.