Turkmenistan, Central Asia's largest gas producer, will launch a new gas pipeline to Iran in December this year to diversify exports, Turkmen state media said on Thursday, following a row with its main partner Russia. Turkmenistan, which produces over 75 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas a year, used to sell about 50 bcm to Russia and just 8 bcm to Iran. Exports to Russia were halted in April after a pipeline explosion.
The pipeline is operational now but Moscow, faced with falling demand for gas in Europe and struggling with a recession, demanded a review of the sales terms. The two sides have yet to agree on the new terms.
Seeking to ease its dependence on Russia's demand, Turkmenistan said last month it could more than double gas sales to Iran to 20 bcm a year and started building a new pipeline. Turkmenistan did not say at what price it would sell gas to Iran. On Thursday, state news agency Turkmen Khabarlary said Turkmen President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov had invited his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to attend the launch of the new link in December.
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