TEHRAN: Iran has been supplying 2 million cubic metres (mcm) of natural gas to Turkey instead of its 28 mcm requirement since exports resumed on Friday after being cut over a technical fault a day earlier, Turkish sector officials said.
Iranian Oil Ministry’s news agency SHANA reported earlier that the “gas exports to Turkey, which had been suspended on Thursday following a gas leak at a station on the Turkish side, have resumed.”
“The suspension of gas exports to Turkey for a short time was due to the fact that the pressure boosting station in Turkey had to make changes in order to receive gas by reducing the pressure,” it also added.
A sector official on the Turkish side said: “While it has to supply 28 million cubic metres of gas per day, Iran has been sending around 2-3 million cubic metres of gas and at low pressure.”
“The system is being disrupted due to the low amount and pressure, The compressor stations on the Turkey side are ready, operational, and there are no technical issues on the Turkish side.” the Turkish official told Reuters on Friday.
Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji told state TV that Iran was supplying 10 million cubic metres per day, starting early on Friday, while repairs were being carried out to stop a leak.
Sector officials in Turkey said on Thursday that Iran had cut gas flows for up to 10 days due to a technical failure, prompting local authorities to order gas-fueled power plants to cut gas use by 40%.
Turkish natural gas distributors were also asked to reduce supply for large consumers except for that used for heating, the Turkish sector officials said, adding that schools and hospitals were exempt.
Turkey’s Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAŞ) had said in an earlier statement that gas flow to industrial and energy power plants would be restricted, but “every precaution has been taken” to ensure Turkish citizens are not affected by the cut.
Turkey is almost fully dependent on imported gas from Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran. Iran alone provided 16% of Turkey’s natural gas needs in the first 10 months of 2021, according to the latest official data.
Iran has faced gas shortages at home because of record high consumption particularly for household heating in the winter cold and has had to cut supplies to cement plants and other industries. -Agencies
