11-04-07 The promotion of cooperation between Russia, Iran and Qatar on the world gas market “is natural and very promising”, Russian expert on Iranian affairs Wahid Dzhiddi told, commenting on the results of the recent Forum of Gas Exporting Countries, held in Qatar.
These three nations, which have the richest natural gas resources, “should accelerate the examination of the problem of forming a gas OPEC and of promoting cooperation on joint projects to deliver gas to third countries”, he stated.

The global reserves of gas top 173 tcm and most of them are on the territories of only ten countries, among which Russia holds the lead (27.5 %) and Iran is second with 15.9 %. Qatar’s share is approximately 15 %.
“Exchange of experience on fuel processing and transportation would have been of substantial importance in this case,” Wahid Dzhiddi presumes. “We are interested in mastering the Qatar technology of storing and shipping liquefied gas,” he added. The positive aspects of such cooperations “are obvious and its purpose is not to ‘dictate prices’, which the United States fears”.

Tehran believes it is possible to implement the idea of setting up a gas OPEC, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Golamreza Ansari told.
“The gas-producing countries appreciate this idea,” he noted. “Discussed in those countries today are the ways to implement it. This plan is feasible. The project is being studied on a multilateral basis and bilateral consultations are under way, too,” the ambassador noted.

Russian Minister for Industry and Energy Viktor Khristenko, who attended the Qatar Forum, said Russia was “in contact with all the major gas companies and such contacts will be promoted”. The Forum decided to form a high-level coordination group, headed by the Russian Federation as the hosting country, because a gas forum will be held in Russia within a year from now.
“Everything that happened in Qatar proves the great importance of energy for mankind’s future,” the Russian minister said. “Nobody wishes to pool efforts here against anybody else. There must be a balance of interests and clear-cut positions should be explained to each other,” he stated.