Gazprom Neft helps Iraqi electricity capacity

MOSCOW, April 11 (UPI) -- Russian energy company Gazprom Neft said it will help keep the lights on in parts if Iraq by connecting the Badra field to an eastern provincial power station.

Gazprom Neft, the operator of the field, selected Pakistani company Techno Engineering Services Ltd. to build a 60-mile pipeline to connect the Badra field to the Zubaidiah power station in eastern Wasit province.

The Russian energy company said first gas through the pipeline is slated for 2015. It will have a daily rate of 155 million cubic feet of natural gas.

Gas supplied from the field will keep the Zubaidiah power station running well enough to keep the lights on in the provincial capital, Kut, for 24 hours a day. The city currently has electricity supplied for 16 hours per day.

There was no statement from the Pakistani company and Gazprom Neft provided no value for the pipeline contract.

The Russian company said Thursday investors are compensated for infrastructure development under the terms of their agreements with the Iraqi government.