Gazprom, Russia's natural gas monopoly, is keen to contribute to the construction of a US$7.4 billion (HK$57.72 billion) natural-gas pipeline between Iran, Pakistan and India, said Abubakir Shomuzov, its representative to Iran.
Gazprom is ready to participate in the construction and procurement of the pipeline, Shomuzov told Iran's oil ministry press agency. The Gazprom representative also proposed to extend the pipeline to China because of high gas demand in the world's most populous country.
The pipeline, which is yet to receive clear pledges of funding, has been in the planning stage for more than a decade. The United States wants India to shun the project to isolate Iran, which it says is trying to make nuclear weapons. Iran and India said last month they were determined to sign a contract to build a natural-gas pipeline via Pakistan by June 30.
The pipeline, which will mainly transfer gas from Iran's South and North Pars offshore fields in the Persian Gulf, will initially carry 60 million cubic meters of gas per day, Iran's negotiator, Hojatollah Ghanimifard, said. The second phase should see the transfer of an additional 90 million cubic meters a day, he said.
Oman's oil minister said Sunday a proposed refinery and petrochemical complex on the country's southeast coast could cost more than US$7 billion to develop.
Oman is considering building the refinery, its third, with a capacity of 200,000 to 300,000 barrels per day.
International Oil Daily reported in February that the government had hired Britain-based Jacob's Engineering to advise on the project and said it could cost as much as US$7 billion to develop.
"It could be more than that," Mohammad bin Hamad al-Rumhy told reporters in Muscat when asked about the cost. "We are discussing the initial feasibility study of the project submitted by our consultants."
Oman has two state refineries - Oman Refinery Company with a capacity of 106,000 barrels per day and Sohar Refinery Company with 116,400 barrels per day capacity.
Gazprom is ready to participate in the construction and procurement of the pipeline, Shomuzov told Iran's oil ministry press agency. The Gazprom representative also proposed to extend the pipeline to China because of high gas demand in the world's most populous country.
The pipeline, which is yet to receive clear pledges of funding, has been in the planning stage for more than a decade. The United States wants India to shun the project to isolate Iran, which it says is trying to make nuclear weapons. Iran and India said last month they were determined to sign a contract to build a natural-gas pipeline via Pakistan by June 30.
The pipeline, which will mainly transfer gas from Iran's South and North Pars offshore fields in the Persian Gulf, will initially carry 60 million cubic meters of gas per day, Iran's negotiator, Hojatollah Ghanimifard, said. The second phase should see the transfer of an additional 90 million cubic meters a day, he said.
Oman's oil minister said Sunday a proposed refinery and petrochemical complex on the country's southeast coast could cost more than US$7 billion to develop.
Oman is considering building the refinery, its third, with a capacity of 200,000 to 300,000 barrels per day.
International Oil Daily reported in February that the government had hired Britain-based Jacob's Engineering to advise on the project and said it could cost as much as US$7 billion to develop.
"It could be more than that," Mohammad bin Hamad al-Rumhy told reporters in Muscat when asked about the cost. "We are discussing the initial feasibility study of the project submitted by our consultants."
Oman has two state refineries - Oman Refinery Company with a capacity of 106,000 barrels per day and Sohar Refinery Company with 116,400 barrels per day capacity.