Turkmenistan: Russia and Iran seek Gas Export Price Cut

Two of Turkmenistan's most important gas importers -- Iran and Russia -- are looking for a discount.

Iran has just eight days to secure a new deal before its current contract with Ashgabat expires on June 30. Reza Kasaeizadeh, the managing director of the National Iranian Gas Export Company, told the Mehr News Agency that Iran wants to secure a three-year deal with Ashgabat. Tehran currently imports 8 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year from Turkmenistan and has asked for an additional 10 bcm to be delivered this year.

Representatives of Gazprom, a Kremlin-controlled conglomerate, are also pushing for a price cut. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

During a recent visit to Ashgabat, Gazprom boss Alexei Miller expressed optimism that a revised deal could be worked out. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].