Iran talks gas transits with Turkmenistan

TEHRAN, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- A delegation from Turkmenistan met with Iranian energy officials in Tehran to discuss the transit of Turkmen gas to Europe through Iran.

Iran holds some of the most abundant gas reserves in the world but struggles under economic sanctions to keep up with a faltering infrastructure. Gas imports from Turkmenistan were disrupted during the 2008 winter when Ashgabat insisted on a higher price.

Iran reached a new pricing agreement with Turkmenistan in January. Under the terms of an earlier provision, Iran and Turkmenistan will work on the construction of a new pipeline between the two countries.

The construction of the new pipeline would increase the volume of gas shipped to Iran from 706 million cubic feet of gas per day to 1.2 billion cubic feet per day, the Fars News Agency reports.

Iran has lobbied for a role in regional energy security, pushing for participation in the planned European Nabucco gas pipeline.

The country is connected to Turkmenistan currently though the 120-mile Korpezhe-Kurt Kui pipeline.