Iranians urged to conserve gas despite cold snap

TEHRAN, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Iran's oil minister urged Iranians on Saturday to use less fuel after demand surged because of a cold snap, partly blamed for causing domestic gas supply disruptions.

Temperatures in Iran, which sits on the world's second biggest gas reserves, have plunged and heavy snowfalls have blanketed parts of the country.

People in some northern provinces had to queue for alternative fuels from gas to heat their homes and cook food earlier in January due to gas supply shortages. Officials have since said they added extra gas to the network.

"The second wave of cold weather has arrived, there is a desperate need to consume less natural gas," Oil Minister Gholamhossein Nozari said on state television.

The minister said gas production had risen to a record level of 460 million cubic metres per day, up from around 450 million cubic metres, the figure cited by an official in recent days.

"I hope with this level of production the problem of the northern and northwestern provinces will be solved," Nozari said.

As well as surging domestic demand, Turkmenistan cut its gas exports to Iran last month citing technical reasons, although Iran has said its neighbour wants to charge a higher price.

Iran, in turn, halted supplies of its gas to Turkey.

Nozari's comments were broadcast after a separate television appeal to Iranians to be careful about gas usage and consider turning off one heater in their house to save fuel.

Government offices, schools and universities were closed in some regions for several days in the past week partly so buildings did not need to be opened and fuel could be saved. (Reporting by Hossein Jaseb, writing by Edmund Blair)