BAZARGAN, Jan 22 (A.A) - A total of 4 billion cubic meters of natural gas is foreseen to be bought from Iran in 2002. This amount will reach 10 billion cubic meters in 2007.
Iran-Turkey natural gas pipeline was officially inaugurated on Tuesday in Bazargan Measuring Station in Iran.
The flow of natural gas from Iran to Turkey started on December 10, 2001 within the framework of natural gas purchase and sale agreement between Turkey and Iran.
In accordance with the agreement which was made on August 8, 1996, Turkey had earlier bought 165 million cubic meters of the natural gas which was foreseen for the first year.
Officials said that Bazargan Measuring Station had to be ready for service on July 30, 2001 within the framework of current operating agreement between Turkey and Iran.
However, the delegations of Pipeline Transportation Inc. (BOTAS) and Iranian national gas company observed that the measuring station, which should be completed by Iranian side, wasn't ready for serving and listed the works to be done to open the station as soon as possible.
Although some deficiencies could not be overcome in the station, the transport of natural gas began in December 2001 by taking the approval of the international company charged to certificate the measuring station.
The station started to serve officially today.
Within the terms of the agreement, a total of 4 billion cubic meters of natural gas is foreseen to be bought from Iran in 2002. This amount will reach 10 billion cubic meters in 2007.