Russia, Iran review gas cooperation potential

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Russian energy company Gazprom said it was considering the potential for work alongside its Iranian counterparts to help develop Iran's gas reserves.

Iran hosted what Gazprom described as the first meeting of a joint coordinating committee between it and the National Iranian Gas Co. The Russian company said both sides discussed a wide range of opportunities, from gas storage to transmission systems.

"Special attention was given to drawing up a general scheme of Iran's gas industry development," the Russian company said in a statement.

The meeting comes as both sides consider future development in the Iranian nuclear energy sector. Both sides already cooperate in a variety of fields, with Russia supplying fuel for Iran's nuclear reactor at Bushehr. In June, the Iranian and Russian governments mulled an arrangement whereby Iran would ship oil to Russia in exchange for goods.

With sanctions pressure easing on Tehran in the wake of a July nuclear agreement with the U.N. Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent member, plus Germany, Iran is eager to court new energy investors. This week, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov said Iran could play an "important role" in energy diversification schemes considered by the European Union.

Europe aims to break its reliance on Russia as a natural gas supplier, accusing companies like Gazprom of holding a monopoly over supplies and transit networks. Iran has offered its gas as an option for Europe in the past, though sanctions pressures interfered with that ambition.

The Islamic republic is pegging energy advancements in part on the South Pars natural gas field, which accounts for about 35 percent of the total volume of gas produced from Iran.