Seven international companies have expressed eagerness to participate in the construction of the Iran-Oman Gas Pipeline, managing director of National Iranian Gas Export Company said on Sunday.
“We cannot hold serious negotiations with foreign companies as long as feasibility studies of the project are not concluded,” Alireza Kameli was also quoted as saying by Shana.
Kameli noted that plans have been made to increase the envisaged gas transmission capacity of the pipeline from 28 million cubic meters to 42 mcm.
Evaluating the trilateral meetings attended by the representatives of NIGEC, Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company and an unnamed Omani company as “positive”, the official noted that the process is continuing as per the schedule.
“The project’s contractor [which is due to work under the supervision of the two countries], has been selected, the geodetic operations have been completed on Iran’s part and it is being implemented on the part of Oman,” Kameli said.
IOEC, as the project’s consultant company, has carried out studies for choosing the best sea route for the delivery of Iranian gas to the Arab neighbor, which has been finalized in coordination with the Omani side.
NIGEC’s chief executive expressed optimism that studies would come to fruition in three months, adding that it will take two years to implement the whole project, including laying the pipeline and setting up infrastructures such as gas metering and compressor stations in Iran’s territorial waters.
Kameli noted that preparatory measures, including establishing a joint venture company, for talks on other contracts related to the pipeline, are also on the agenda.
