Baku proposed Iran may join TANAP gas pipeline project

Tehran, June 3, IRNA – Azerbaijan Republic Minister of Energy announced that Iran may join Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline project. Natig Aliyev made the remarks in the Caspian Oil and Gas Conference in Baku. Iran with its rich energy resources is seriously interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan Republic and can play an important role in providing energy security in Europe, Aliyev said. So, Iran can join Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline project implemented by Azerbaijan Republic, the minister continued. Azerbaijan Republic produced 42 million tons of oil and 29 billion cubic meters of gas last year. Aliyev said that his country plans to maintain oil production at the level of up to 45 million tons annually, while the volume of gas production is planned to be doubled. 'We plan to start implementation of a new gas program, including its production, processing and export by such gas production volumes,' he added. He predicted that demand for gas in the European Union will grow before 2035. Already, Iran's Ambassador to Baku had declared that Tehran is considering and studying opportunities to join Turkey-Azerbaijan Republic gas pipeline ( Trans-Anatolian). Mohsen Pakaein had told Trend News Agency that presence in world gas market is among Iran's main policies. He said that Iran after Russia has the second largest world gas resources and confirmed that Iran had received proposals to participate in Trans-Adriatic gas project as well as Trans-Anatolian gas project (TANAP).