Iran is dramatically increasing its natural gas export capacity in preparation for the lifting of international sanctions, President Hassan Rouhani said during the second day of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), reported Reuters.

Addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders of seven other countries including Algeria, Nigeria and Venezuela, Rouhani said his country was seeking international partnerships to develop its vast oil and gas reserves.

“I invite the leaders of the countries in this group to partner with Iran and invest in developing Iran’s gas resources for mutual benefit,” he said. “Iran is ready to play a bigger role in the supply of gas.”

Rouhani said Iran had been working for two years to increase its gas production capacity via pipelines to neighbouring countries or through liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments further afield.

Rouhani said capacity would surge to more than 1rcm in another two years.

“The preparatory stages have been completed by the government so that the needed investments will be made,” he said. “We believe that the situation will rapidly change with the recent agreements between Iran and the P5+1.”

According to Press TV Rouhani further emphasized the need for the GECF to devise coordinated policies to increase the share of natural gas in the global energy basket and also promote the position of this crucial fuel in energy markets across the world.

GECF is also meant to facilitate cooperation among member states in several technical aspects of the industry such as exploration, production and trade of natural gas, he added.