He told a gathering of senior oil industry officials that following President Ahmadinejads talks with his Turkmen counterpart and follow up of those talks by Irans Foreign Ministry, good grounds have been provided for importing more gas from Turkmenistan. He stated that early studies have shown that after building 140 km pipeline from the nearest point in Turkmenistan to Iranian border; it could be connected to consumption points in Irans northeastern regions. The minister stated that international affairs department of the ministry has been asked to study commercial issues related to the deal and related credits should be supplied by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2005). Hamaneh expressed hope that if studies proved positive, constructing the pipeline will begin during the current Iranian year to end in September. Iran is currently importing 25 million cu. m. gas from Turkmenistan to meet gas demand in northern parts of the country during the cold season.