IRANIAN GAS DELIVERY TO ARMENIA TO START SEPTEMBER 22

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.09.2007 18:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iran will launch its gas exports to Armenia
by September 22, said the National Iranian Gas Export Company
(NIGEC) managing director Nasrollah Seifi. "According to the latest
negotiations with Armenia, Iran has completed pipe-laying operations
and Armenia is ready to import gas," he added.

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, MehrNews reported.

The first 40km Meghri-Kajaran sector of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
was put into operation March 19, 2007. Major works will be accomplished
according to the schedule, till the end of 2008. The construction
will cost some $220-250 million.