The European Commission hasn't forecast a date for possible natural gas imports from Iraq as the Arab country focuses on domestic consumption and sending its gas to neighboring countries, a top European Union official covering energy said.
But initial imports of Iraqi gas into the EU could be between 5 billion and 10 billion cubic meters a year, Fabrizio Barbaso, the commission's deputy director-general for energy, said at a conference in Rome.
At present, however, the Iraqi authorities "are very hesitant" about exporting gas as they are focused on using it at electricity plants to generate power for the domestic population, he said.
"They are also for now giving preference to imports to neighboring countries," said Mr. Barbaso.
Dow Jones Newswires
15 November
