Cold Halts Iran Gas Exports to Turkey
Saturday 09 Feb 2008
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8611200414

TEHRAN (FNA)- Cold weather has again forced Iran to stop pumping natural gas
to Turkey, Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said on Friday.

"Bad weather conditions have had their effect. The flow of Iranian natural
gas dropped and halted yesterday," Guler told reporters at a reception at
the Iranian embassy.

"Our friends are holding talks to try to solve the problem."

A previous stoppage, also prompted by harsh weather, lasted three weeks
before Iran finally resumed its gas exports to Turkey on Jan. 27. Iranian
officials blamed that disruption on increased domestic demand sparked by the
cold weather.

"Our cooperation is continuing, we are trying to solve the technical
problems. We need some time, there is mutual understanding," an Iranian
embassy official said in Ankara.

Botas, Turkey's state gas pipeline company, said the country was currently
experiencing no problems in meeting demand, which it put at around 125
million cubic meters a day.

Gas is continuing to flow via a newly opened pipeline to Greece, the
official added. Greece was hit in a domino effect last month when Iran
stopped pumping gas to Turkey.

"If we need extra gas we will again turn to the Russians," the Botas
official said.

Russia and Iran account respectively for about 70 percent and 20 percent of
Turkey's natural gas needs. Russia raised its supplies last month to meet
Turkey's shortfall.