Petrol Office Wants to Buy Iranian Natural Gas

N.I.G.C. Director Advisor Mohammad Hasan Mojarrad said that N.I.G.C. and the Turkish gas company the Pipelines Petroleum Transfer Incorporation (BOTAS) made a gas agreement in 1996 to last for 25 years and the agreement continued without having any problems by now. Stating that a new period began with the privatization process in natural gas sector in Turkey, Mojarrad pointed out that Iran planned to take a more active role in natural gas sector of Turkey in this new period.

Mojarrad said, "Privatization process has begun in Turkey. According to the new law, BOTAS has to turn over the gas agreements in hand. Is Dogan company forwarded a gas import proposal to us. BOTAS is to suggest to us a new firm next year. We’ll meet with this one as well. However, our discussions with these firms will be in the framework of BOTAS agreements." Mojarrad said they notified Turkey that Iranian companies wanted to take part in Turkey ‘s domestic market directly or in a partnerships.

Stating that there was no problem in the relations with Turkey now, Mojarrad said that the necessities of the agreement were accomplished during daily mutual meetings. Indicating that BOTAS had to purchase 4 billion cubic meters of gas from Iran last year, Mojarrad said, " BOTAS was unable to purchase the gas that it previously undertook when the gas consumption decreased in Turkey; however it promised us that it will be buying. It will purchase 5 billion cubic meters of gas from us this year. If this gas is not bought, according to the agreement, the cost of the gas has to be paid. But, BOTAS has a right to buy the gas, which it pays for, later on."

Ismail Altunsoy / Tehran / IRAN