Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparsalan Bayraktar, Owji pointed to Turkish companies’ willingness to involve in Iran’s upstream projects, particularly development of oil fields, adding bilateral agreements and the $30 billion annual trade volume underlined by the two countries’ presidents were discussed during the meeting.

“The official negotiations between the National Iranian Gas Company and Türkiye’s BOTAŞ started today,” mentioned the oil minister, saying the two sides exchanged views on technical issues related to extension of gas exports to Türkiye.

According to Owji, Bayraktar offered a list of Turkish companies, which are eager to engage in Iran’s oil projects.

Several oil contracts worth more than $33 billion have been recently signed with Iranian knowledge-based companies, said the oil minister, adding the energy sector can contribute largely to the achievement of Tehran-Ankara $30 billion trade target.

Türkiye determined to extend Iran gas deal

Bayraktar said his visit to Tehran reveals Türkiye’s firm determination to extend the contract on importing gas from Iran.

Gas plays a vital role in Türkiye, as it meets the energy needs of a major part of the household, commercial, and industrial sectors of the country, he added.

“We are seeking to diversify our gas import routes,” pointed out the visiting energy minister, referring to Iran as one of the leading gas suppliers to Türkiye.

The official pointed to Turkish companies’ investment in development projects of Iran’s gas fields and renovation of gas transmission infrastructure as one of the main topics he discussed with his Iranian counterpart.

The two sides will surely continue their talks, he concluded.