Ankara has shown much interest in increasing the volume of its gas imports from Iran, a senior energy official announced on Wednesday.

 

"Turkey has asked Iran to increase the volume of its gas supplies to that country," Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Mansour Moazami said on Wednesday.

 

He noted Iran is planning to export gas to Oman and also other countries interested in have supplies from Iran.

 

Moazami pointed to Iran's gas exports to Iraq, and said, "Because of Iraq's (unfavorable) conditions, we could not export gas to that country in the current year, but we will begin gas exports next year."

 

Under a contract signed in 1996, Turkey imports 10 billion cubic meters per year of gas from Iran. The contract became active in 2001. Turkey depends on imports for almost all of its natural gas needs, estimated to hit 52 billion cubic meters this year.

 

Turkey is keen to increase oil and gas imports from Tehran in anticipation of sanctions against Iran's huge energy sector being dismantled in the wake of an interim nuclear deal last year between Tehran and six big powers. MORE