Iran, Oman discuss gas exports

TEHRAN,Feb.1(MNA)Iran and Oman discussed on Monday the prospects of exporting Iranian gas to the Persian Gulf Sultanate, Pana news agency reported. Iranian First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi and Omani Sultan Qaboos bin Said met in Muscat on Monday to discuss a possible deal and the bilateral ties that could see Oman’s ports being used as a transit route to South Asia. Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi and Roads, Urban Development Minister Ali Nikzad and a number of presidential and foreign ministry officials accompanied Rahimi in his day-long visit. Iran and Oman signed a deal in 2009 to jointly develop an underwater 200-kilometer gas pipeline to Musandam and Sohar in Oman. Caretaker director of the National Iranian Gas Export Company (NIGEC) said in September 2011 that Iran has reached agreements with India and Oman on exporting gas to the two countries. Hossein Bidarmaghz added that negotiations between Iran and India started 11 months ago and are ongoing. One possible way to transfer Iranian gas to India is via Oman through subsea pipelines. Bidarmaghz said based on a trilateral agreement among Iran, Oman and a third country, Iran's gas will feed Oman's liquefaction plant before being processed into various products in the third country.