Iran gas trunklines to be built by Russian companies

Russian companies have voiced their readiness to complete or construct Iran gas trunklines (IGATs), Asghar Soheilipour director of the specialized committee of investment at NIGC said.

Soheilipour stated the Russian firms are ready to handle IGAT-6, IGAT-7, IGAT-9 and IGAT-11, all destined to export Iran’s gas.

He added that a memorandum has been signed with a Russian company for the construction of a pipeline stretching from Iranshahr to Chabahar in southeastern Iran, noting that the implementation of the pipeline needs $700 million.

“The Russian delegation will travel to Iran,” Soheilipour said, adding that negotiations with this Russian company will be facilitated after signing the agreement.

He added that Gas Engineering and Development Company is currently gathering the necessary data for 300-kilometer Iranshahr-Chabahar pipeline. The project is estimated to last two years.

IGAT-6 is one of Iranian routes for gas exports to Europe. Construction of 611 kilometers from Assaluyeh to Ahvaz has been completed.

IGAT-7, stretching from Assaluyeh to Iranshahr and from there to the Pakistani border will transfer Iran’s gas to Pakistan.

“Currently, the Assalouyeh-Iranshahr pipeline has been implemented and $2 billion are needed to complete the 900-kilometer portion of the 56-inch diameter pipeline,” he said.

IGAT-9 which is 1863-kilometer long will also help Iran’s gas export to Europe. The pipeline starts from Assaluyeh and continues up to Bazargan and has 17 pressure boosting stations.

IGAT-11, which is 1100 kilometers long, can transfer 110 million cubic meters of gas per day. The pipeline will begin from Assalouyeh and join the 48-inch Mashhad-Tehran pipeline after passing through the provinces of Bushehr, Fars, Yazd, Isfahan and Semnan.

Press Release, September 23, 2014; Image: NIGC