Iran to start supplying Iraq with gas in late 2013

Iran plans to start supplying Iraq with gas in late 2013, Iranian Petroleum Minister Rostam Qasemi said, RIA Novosti reports.

The minister reminded that, besides exports to Pakistan and Iraq, permission was given to export gas to Europe through Turkey.

Iran, Iraq and Syria signed a memorandum of understanding in summer 2011 to build a gas pipeline. The pipeline may cost $10 billion.

The gas pipeline will be 5,600 km long with a capacity of 110 million cubic meters of gas daily. Syria will buy 20-25 million cubic meters of gas daily. Some gas will be provided to Lebanon and Jordan. Liquefied gas will be sent to Europe via Syrian Mediterranean ports.

Iran plans to double gas extraction by the end of the five-year plan ending in 2015.