TEHRAN Aug 8 (Shana):Iraqi government has authorized Iranian gas to be transited to Syria by passing its soil, the managing director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) announced here on Saturday.
On the sidelines of a ceremony to commemorate Reporters Day (8 Aug) in Iran, Javad Oji said that in a meeting with Iraqi officials, ministers of oil and power of the country declared Iraqi readiness to transfer Iran’s gas to Syria and the Mediterranean region.
 
Noting that by expanding Iran’s gas pipeline network there is the possibility to supply Iraq’s power plants with natural gas, NIGC managing director stated that Iraq needs  to import 10 million cubic meters of gas per day, which would be provided by the sixth national gas pipeline network.
Oji said that the sixth national gas pipeline network has the capacity to carry 110 million cubic meters per day through which natural gas would be exported to Iraq and Syria. 
On gas transit to Europe via Turkey, NIGC managing director noted that by gaining a permit from Turkey, gas exports capabilities would be expanded and to this end, the sixth national gas pipeline network needs to be completed.
According to Oji, the main point for exporting gas to Europe is the price which would be finalized in near future.
Oji said that current capacity of pipeline exporting gas to Turkey is 36 million cubic meters per day, while Iran’s gas export to Turkey is confined to 30 mcm/d based on a contract.
NIGC managing director stated that maximum intake by Turkey amounts to 26 mcm/d, and the additional volume, 6 to 10 mcm/d, could be exported to Switzerland.