Armenia interested in importing LNG from Iran

YEREVAN. Sept 11 (Interfax) - Armenia is interested in importing liquefied gas from Iran, Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan said during a meeting with Iran's Deputy Minister of Petroleum Mohammad Sadegh Azimifar on Wednesday.

"Liquefied gas could become the foundation of a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership while also reinforcing energy security in the country," Papoyan was quoted as saying by the press service of the Armenian Ministry of Economy.

Gazprom is Armenia's only supplier of natural gas. The country's gas transportation network is operated by CJSC Gazprom Armenia, fully owned by Russia's Gazprom.

Armenia has also been receiving Iranian gas via pipeline since 2009, converting it to electricity and exporting it back to Iran at a rate of 3 kWh per cubic meter of natural gas. The power plants involved in the program produce 4-4.5 kWh of electricity from each 1 cubic meter of natural gas from Iran, and the remaining part stays in Armenia.

The natural gas imported from Iran is used exclusively within the gas-for-electricity program, in accordance with an agreement valid until 2030.