TEHRAN, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Iran aims to receive more natural gas from Turkmenistan through a pipeline straddling their shared border, Iranian export officials said.
Iran and Turkmenistan inaugurated the 75-mile second phase of a natural gas pipeline between the countries. The pipeline expands gas imports from Turkmenistan from 700 million cubic feet per day to 1.76 billion cfd.
The pipeline services the mountainous north of Iran, which sees expanded industrial needs during winter months. Tehran said the pipeline also increased the export potential for European countries.
Ashgar Sohilipour, a top Iranian gas export official, told the Oil Ministry's Petroenergy Information Network that Tehran was keen to get more gas from Turkmenistan.
"Iran is in talks with Turkmenistan on increasing gas imports," he was quoted as saying.
He added that Iran's neighbors in the Persian Gulf could get more gas if Iran and Turkmenistan can enhance their reputation as an energy hub using the bilateral pipeline.
