TEHRAN: Omani Minister of Oil and Gas Mohammed bin Hamad al-Rumhi says that Iran’s gas pipeline to Oman will not cross the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In an interview with the Kuwaiti daily newspaper of Al Rai, al-Rumhi said Muscat and Tehran have reached an agreement on the issue. The direct pipeline would export the vast gas reserves from Iran to Oman, the Omani minister said, adding the two countries have agreed to export one billion cubic foot of Iran’s gas to Oman per day. The two, al-Rumhi said, have agreed to do so without the presence of the third country, i.e. the UAE. On Feb 7, Iran and Oman held talks in Tehran on the export of gas. The talks were attended by Iran’s Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh and Omani Minister al-Rumhi.
Development of oil cooperation and review of construction of gas pipeline to export Iran’s gas were among the issues discussed by the two sides. According to the reports, Iran and Oman reached an agreement three years ago on export of Iran’s gas to Oman via gas pipeline in the Persian Gulf region. Parts of the exported gas are due to be transferred to the target markets after being turned into the liquefied natural gas (LNG).
