The agreement on trial gas exports from Iran through Armenia to Georgia will allow covering one fourth of the country’s gas demand and will decrease its dependence on Azerbaijan. Baku delivers 80% to Georgia now, said Alexey Grivach, deputy director of the National Energy Security Fund, the Eurasia Daily news agency reported.

“I am not acquainted with detail, but can say for sure such a scheme is impossible without Gazprom’s consent, as the pipeline from Russia stretches to Armenia and supplies the Russian gas,” said Grivach. “That is why transit of the Iranian gas to Georgia is impossible. So, most probably, it will be a swap deal. Iran will deliver 500 mn cubic meters of gas to Armenia. And Russia will deliver the same amount to Georgia. So, Armenia will thus strengthen the security of supply, as the gas pipeline via Georgia is worn out, it is more than 30 years-old and it is laid through highland.”

According to him, Georgia in turn will receive extra gas that Azerbaijan cannot supply.

Baku has to decrease gas production in order to maintain oil production, so Tbilisi needs new suppliers, he added.

“At the same time, due to the domestic situation the Georgian authorities cannot buy gas from Russia, and the swap deal with Iran will let it solve the gas deficit problem without raising political tensions,” believes Grivach.

Iran signed a tentative agreement to export gas to Georgia via Armenia, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said after the meeting with the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Armenia Levon Yolyan, IRNA news agency reporter earlier.

Iranian gas will be supplied through the territory of Armenia. Tehran plans a new route to supply natural gas to Europe.

Source:  m.apa.az