Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 10 / Trend A. Yusifzade /
The Iranian National Offshore Oil Company (NIOOC) announced the start of negotiations on gas exports to the four Persian Gulf countries. The company hopes to conclude agreements soon that will allow the country to become a major fuel supplier to Oman, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain, NIOOC Managing Director Mahmud Zirahchianzade was quoted by the ILNA agency as saying.
''Developing gas fields in the Persian Gulf is one of our top priorities," the director said. "The gas extracted from the South and North Pars, Golshan, Ferdosi, Kish, Lavan, Farzad B, Balal, AND Salman fields will provide Iran's domestic fuel demand. It will also be exported to Persian Gulf countries."
According to BP, Iran's proven gas reserves were 29.61 trillion cubic meters as of Jan. 1, Oman's - 0.98 trillion, the UAE's - 6.43 trillion, Kuwait's - 1.78 trillion, and Bahrain's - 0.09 trillion.
Gas exports amounted to 4.8 billion cubic meters in Iran per year.
The deliveries are expected to exceed 7 billion cubic meters by late 2010. The Iranian year ends on March 20.
The average daily natural gas production has totaled about 413 million cubic meters in Iran since early this year. Production will increase to 600 million cubic meters per day by late 2010.