RIA Novosti, Russia
Jan 29 2007
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to go on stream in spring – official
14:14 | 29/ 01/ 2007
YEREVAN, January 29 (RIA Novosti) – A natural gas pipeline linking
Iran and Armenia will be put into operation this coming spring, a
spokesman for the Armenian president said Monday.
The construction of the 141-kilometer (90-mile) pipeline from Iran
began in 2004. It has a price tag of about $210-220 million,
including $120 million for the Armenian section.
"The gas pipeline will be commissioned this spring. Only then will it
be possible to say whether it will be a transit system. In any case,
Yerevan has always been guided by considerations of economic
expediency. Economic projects that had a political subtext have
always been rejected by the Armenian authorities," Viktor Sogomonyan
said.
Under the current agreement, Iran is to deliver 36 billion cubic
meters of natural gas to Armenia over the next 20 years, subject to a
possible five-year extension and an increase in deliveries to 47
billion cubic meters.
Armenia plans to use all of the gas to produce electricity for
subsequent export to Iran, as well as for domestic consumption.