India mulls importing gas from Iran via sea: Report

Sep 09, 2010 |

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India is likely to resume negotiations for independently importing natural gas from Iran via a sea pipeline, according to a media report.

"India has expressed willingness to restart negotiations through an international firm, to independently import natural gas from Iran via a sea pipeline," Iran Daily quoted Deputy Oil minister and managing director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Mr Javad Owji, as saying.

"No exact date has been yet finalised for the gas talks between Iran and India but they are expected to start after the month of Ramadan," Mr Owji said.

He said that no decision has been yet taken on how to export Iran's gas to India.

"Using a pipeline through Pakistan's soil or building a deepwater pipeline are the main possible options," he said.

Iran's oil ministry has not yet responded to the report.

Earlier this year, Iran and Pakistan signed a deal to build the pipeline under which Tehran agreed to deliver 21.2 million cubic meters (750 million cubic feet) of natural gas per day to Pakistan beginning in 2014.

In August, Iran's deputy foreign minister, Mr Mohammad Ali Fathollahi, had said that Iran welcomes the presence of India in a regional gas transfer project, which is known as the 'Peace Pipeline' project.

"There is an article in the gas transfer deal between Iran and Pakistan, predicting the extension of the pipeline to India should the country be ready to join the project," Fathollahi said.

Iranian oil ministry's gas exports authority, Asghar Soheilipour had earlier advised India to reconsider joining the 'Peace Pipeline' project.

The official stressed that the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline would be the most economical and efficient export route.

Meanwhile, the report said that Bangladesh also has made a proposal to receive Iran's natural gas through the regional gas pipeline.

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