Baku eyes Iranian, Russian gas markets

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Azerbaijan is ready to sell its gas to Iran and Russia amid lingering disputes over the sale price for its natural gas to Turkey, said Azeri executives.

Rovnag Abdullayev, president of the State Oil Co. of the Azerbaijan Republic, said his country had the technology in place to export natural gas to Iranian customers, the Azeri Press Agency reports.

"Currently, the pipeline between Iran and Azerbaijan is being repaired," he said. "Compressors are being upgraded to allow as much as possible gas exports to Iran."

He did not indicate the price Azerbaijan would charge Iran for natural gas.

Abdullayev indicated gas exports to Russia could reach 247 billion cubic feet of natural gas each year with the reconstruction of gas infrastructure.

His comments come as Turkey and Azerbaijan wrangle over gas prices. Azerbaijan currently charges Turkey about 30 percent of the market price for natural gas, and Abdullayev said he was waiting for Ankara to respond.