Bahrain and Russia agreed to expand cooperation in liquefied natural gas (LNG), with Moscow considering LNG supplies to arabic nation and expanding its offshore exploration in the kingdom, Reuters reported.

The first memorandum of understanding was signed by Russia’s Gazprom and Bahrain’s National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga holding) when Russia’s President Vladimir Putin met Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa in Moscow.

Furthermore, Noga signed a memorandum with Russian firm JSC Rosgeologiya (RusGeology).

The agreement aims to strengthen bilateral partnership between the two nations in the field of geophysical studies aimed at exploration of reserves and production of oil and gas, with a five-year program for geological exploration offshore of Bahrain, according to TASS News Agency.

Gazprom is currently developing its LNG sales and transportation and plans to increase its own production. It supplies LNG to more than 10 countries including China, India, Britain and the United Arab Emirates.