OREANDA-NEWS. July 13, 2009. The high-level delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran led by Seyyed Reza Kasaeizadeh, Adviser to the Minister of Petroleum of Iran, Managing Director of the National Iranian Gas Export Company was on a visit to Ashgabat on July 10-11.

According to the press service of the MFA of Turkmenistan, during the talks at Turkmengaz State Concern the sides discussed a broad range of the issues of Turkmen-Iranian gas cooperation in the atmosphere of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual understanding. The sides put emphasis on the positive experience in bilateral partnership in this strategically important sector. Particular attention was paid to the great potential for further expansion of collaboration among the gas companies in the two countries.

The delegations of Turkmenistan and Iran discussed in detail the terms for supply of Turkmen natural gas to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The thorough and constructive exchange of views resulted in agreeing upon the market price for natural gas supplied from Turkmenistan to Iran calculated according to the international formula.

An important outcome of the talks between the Turkmen and the Iranian delegations was the agreement to increase the volume of gas up to 14 billion per year, of which 8 billion cubic metres would be supplied from the Korpeje field located in the west of Turkmenistan and 6 billion cubic metres – from Dovletabad field located in the southeast of Turkmenistan. For this purpose the gas pipeline would built in the east of Turkmenistan, which would stretch to the border with the Islamic Republic of Iran and start to supply natural gas in IV quarter of the current year.

The sides also discussed the ways to increase transit of Turkmen natural gas to Iran and increase it up to 20 billion cubic metres per year in total. In this regard the prospects for the use of the resources Dovletabat field were considered.

The sides signed the relevant documents supporting the agreements achieved.