IRAN TO START GAS EXPORTS TO ARMENIA LATE SEPT.

Mehr News Agency
Sept 4 2007
Iran

TEHRAN, Sept. 4 (MNA) – Iran will launch its gas exports to Armenia
by September 22, said the National Iranian Gas Export Company (NIGEC)
managing director here on Tuesday.

Talking to MNA, Nasrollah Seifi added, "According to the latest
negotiations with Armenia, Iran has completed pipe-laying operations
and Armenia is ready to import gas.

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad and his Armenian counterpart
Robert Kocharian opened the pipeline’s first section at a ceremony
near the border.

Under the first stage of the project, Iran will annually export some
400 million cubic meters of gas, which will be increased up to 3.2
billion cubic meters when the 141km link is completed.

The 100km Iranian section runs from Tabriz to Iran-Armenia border.

The Armenian section runs from Meghri region to Sardarian.

According to preliminary estimates, about $90-100 million was
allocated for construction works in Armenia and Iran earmarked about
$120 million for construction activities on its territory.

Pointing to electricity export, he said that the side’s plan is to
increase its capacity for importing power from Iran.

Referring to exports of five million tons of Iran’s LNG to India,
he announced that the contract was signed two years ago and now the
Economic Council is not agree with the price, hence, it should revise
the case.