SHANA -- Iran's state-run gas firm has expressed its readiness to deliver Turkmenistan's gas to Pakistan under a swap deal, saying it would upgrade Iran's status in global gas trading.

"The National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) has expressed its readiness to receive and swap Turkmenistan's gas even to Pakistan and India," Hamid-Reza Araqi, CEO NIGC, said.

"That implies that Iran is ready to deliver Turkmenistan's gas to south, east and west," he added.

"Turkmenistan's gas exports and its gas swap via Iran will benefit both nations," said Araqi. "We have always buyers for Iran's gas and by swapping Turkmenistan's gas we will stabilize our position in regional gas market."

He said that NIGC would take into consideration the quality of swapped gas, adding: "If Iran swaps Turkmenistan's gas to Pakistan or any other country it will lay emphasis on the quality of gas received from Turkmenistan."

IGAT7 to Supply Domestic Needs First

Araqi also said that the Iran Gas Trunkline 7 (IGAT7) was designed to meet national gas needs first although it was aimed at "exporting Iran's gas to Pakistan and India."

He added that a trunkline would be built alongside IGAT7 in order to stabilize gas supply to southern and southeastern Iran.

IGAT7 is currently transmitting between 25 mcm/d and 30 mcm/d of gas, mainly to industrial and power plants. The trunkline has capacity to handle 100 mcm/d of gas.