An oil ministry official said Iraq is moving ahead with plans to develop associated and free gas projects in the next two to three years as the country seeks to lower dependence on gas imports from Iran.
To help plug gas shortage and electricity deficit, Iraq relies on Iranian gas and electricity. Amid sanctions on Iran's energy sector, temporary US waivers have been received by Iraq to continue the imports. To continue to import Iranian electricity for 2020 and 2021, an agreement renewed by Iraq in the week ended June 6.
As the Donald Trump administration seeks to support the new Iraqi prime minister appointed and provide some stability to the politically fractured nation, the US on May 7 extended Iraq's sanctions waiver for 120 days to import Iranian electricity.
By imposing sanctions on its energy exports in 2018, the US had sought to squeeze Iran. Iraq has been pressured by the US to reduce its dependency on Iranian energy supplies. The duration of the waivers to Iraq was shortened. Granted on April 26, the waiver lasts for 30 days.
