Qatar is eager to import Iranian natural gas from the country's South Pars gas field in an attempt to meet its rising domestic demand, a report says.
The new round of talks between Iran and Qatar for exporting Iranian gas to the Persian Gulf littoral state was held "behind closed doors" in the Iranian capital, Tehran, Mehr news agency reported on Saturday without further elaboration, Press TV reported.
If the two sides reach an agreement, Iran will export its gas from the South Pars gas field to Qatar, the report said.
The South Pars gas field is a joint venture of Iran and Qatar in the Persian Gulf.
The Iranian share of the field has reserves of about 14 trillion cubic meters of gas, which accounts for about eight percent of the total world gas reserves.
Qatar holds the southern section of the field, which is referred to as the North Dome.
"Qatar faces gas shortage to meet its domestic demand due to its long-term agreements for exporting its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to European and Asian companies," the news agency said.
The giant gas field covers an area of 9,700 square kilometers, of which 3,700 square kilometers (South Pars) is in Iranian territorial waters and 6,000 square kilometers (North Dome) fall in Qatari territorial waters.
The process of developing gas production projects in the South Pars Special Economic Energy Zone is divided into 28 phases.