Iran-Iraq gas pipeline to begin commercial operations next year

Following completion of construction work, the Iran-Iraq gas pipeline will undergo a test run in early October before starting commercial operations at the beginning of the next Iranian calendar year (starting 21 March 2015). Iran’s 97 km section of the pipeline will be linked to the country’s gas trunk lines (IGATs).

Alireza Qaribi, Managing Director of Iranian Gas Engineering and Development Company, said: "The operations for the construction of Iran-Iraq gas pipeline are complete and we are now in the pre-startup tests phase, after which the pipeline will be ready for initial test-run gas injection by early October."

With regard to the official start-up date of the pipeline, Qaribi noted: "As per the negotiations between Iran and Iraq, Iran's gas cannot be exported to Iraq under the current insecure conditions, hence it will be exported to Iraq early next year – yet it will be the senior officials who should make the final decision." According to reports, construction work on the Iraqi section of the pipeline is almost complete.

Edited from various sources by Rosalie Starling

Sources: Trend, Fars News Agency

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