Shana reported that exploration and estimation of gas hydrate reserves are the most important targets of the National Iranian Oil Company in Oman Sea.

Mr Mahmoud Mohaddes manager for exploration affairs of NIOC said that comprehensive seismic and exploratory operations have been conducted in the Oman Sea, along Iran's territorial waters from Hormoz Strait to the Pakistani border adding NIOC has defined the exploration targets in the area.

Mr Mohaddes said that geological structure of Oman Sea shows that the hydrocarbon reserves in the Sea are less than the Persian Gulf's oil resources. He put emphasis on the sea's gas hydrate reserves and said that "For the time being, an exploratory contract has been signed with Research Institute of Petroleum Industry."

As per the contract, the RIPI will estimate the capacity of the sea's gas reserves for 30 month period under the supervision of the exploration department of NIOC.

(Sourced from www.shana.ir)