TEHRAN, Feb. 21 (Shana) � Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawai said his country is interested to import gas from Iran and transfer it to the international markets.

He made the statement here on Sunday following a meeting with the Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh during which the gas pipeline project between the two countries and joint ventures in oil industry were discussed.

�We discussed relations in oil, gas, and petrochemical industry,� the Omani minister said adding that the study for the gas pipeline project will be completed in six months.

�Considering the satisfactory relations with Iran, Oman is interested to use Iran�s gas and agrees with every details of the project,� bin Alawi said.
The Omani foreign minister also said that his country is ready to increase maritime cooperation with Iran. �We are pleased that Iranian officials have welcomed the projects proposed by Oman.�

Iran is in talks with Muscat to tap Oman's untapped LNG capacity, Petroleum Minister Bijan Zangeneh said in January.

Having returned from a short visit to Muscat, he told Shana that during the meeting with Omani Oil and Gas Minister Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhi, both sides also exchanged views on the international crude oil market.

Iran is to export its natural gas to the Persian Gulf Arab state to be converted into liquefied natural gas (LNG), said a senior Iranian gas official in January.

Managing Director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Alireza Kameli said, �Iran has undertaken to pump 28 million cubic meters of gas per day to Oman and it is likely that about 25 to 30 percent will be allocated to LNG.�

By SHANA