Second Round of Iran-Oman Gas Talks Due in Jan.

TEHRAN (FNA) The second round of Tehran-Muscat talks on Oman’s participation and investment in gas projects of Assaluyeh in southern Iran will be held this month.

National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Managing Director Seyyed Reza Kassaeizadeh said Tehran and Muscat would continue their talks to map the most economical route out for exports of Iran’s gas to Oman.

He told PIN negotiations would continue until the way to export the commodity to the neighboring state was according to the international standards.

“Given the laying of a pipeline from Assaluyeh to Bandar Abbas and Iranshahr, there is a possibility to export gas to Oman through Hormuzgan Province,” said the NIGC chief.

He added Oman was eager to conclude talks as soon as possible and the project would be put into action in the near future.

“Pipeline is the best option for transferring Iran’s gas to Oman,” said Kassaeizadeh, adding some part of the pipeline would pass through land and some part through sea.

The pipeline could pass through Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, before heading for Oman via sea, he added.

Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC) managing director said Oman had offered its initial proposal on imports of Iran’s gas and would submit its final proposal this month.

Mahmud Zirakchianzadeh expressed hope Tehran-Muscat negotiations would bear fruit by March 2008 and added, “Following good Iran-Oman cooperation and oil ministers’ recent meeting on the sidelines of the 14th meeting of OPEC, the two sides underlined the investment in, development of, and transfer of gas from Kish field.”

He added Oman would help derive two billion cubic meters of gas from Kish field per day, out of which one billion cubic meters would be exported to Oman and one billion would be used inside the country.

Oman had already suggested a two-billion-dollar investment in the development plan of Kish gas field, Zirakchianzadeh said.

He added that the suggestion included the establishment of a joint investment company and gas exports to the neighboring country.

The IOOC head said oil ministers of the two states had also underlined the necessity to develop the jointly-owned Hengam field.

Shifting to the development of Lavan gas field, Zirakchianzadeh said Oman had voiced its willingness to produce GTL in the field.

“Lavan holds 8 to 12 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of in-place gas,” said the official, adding seismographic operations were underway to get further information about it.