Major Asian, European Companies in Talks with Iran for Gas Cooperation
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Several major European and Asian companies are in talks with the Iranian National Gas Company for cooperation in the gas industry, an Iranian gas official announced.
“Some European companies from France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and Russia as well as companies from Japan, South Korea, and China, have entered into negotiations with National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) in the areas of the construction of (gas) refineries and transmission lines,” the head of Investment Committee at the NIGC, Asghar Soheilipour, said.
“Up to now" he added "we have started talks with 35 to 40 companies, all of which are among the world’s major and well-known companies."
Back in May, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh expressed the country's readiness for providing the European states with natural gas, either through pipeline or LNG shipments.
“As a country capable of supplying gas in large volumes, Iran has always been willing to be present in Europe’s market, either through pipeline or in LNG form,” Zanganeh said at the time.
Zanganeh also pointed to Europe's long-term interest in diversifying its gas supplies, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic would be able to meet both domestic and export demands once the new phases of the massive offshore South Pars gas field, south of Iran, become operational.
