Oman and Iran have agreed to finalize a cooperation pact for an offshore pipeline project from the Islamic Republic to Sohar Port in northern Oman, Fars News reported.

“The deal will be finalized in two stages: the first of which is planned to be concluded by the end of May and the second part is going to be signed by the end of June,” Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said.

The pipeline will facilitate the production of Iranian gas in the Qalhat liquefaction plan in Oman pumping of gas, to be then exported as LNG to international markets, a prospect long discussed between the two countries.

So far, the project has been disrupted by disagreements over the route of the pipeline and the pricing formula.

Several international companies including Total and Shell have expressed interest in the project.

The total length of the pipeline for the project is estimated to be over 400 kilometers. Stretching onshore for 200 kms from Iran’s southern Assalouyeh gas zone to Kuhmobarak in the southern province of Hormuzgan, and offshore for a further 200 km to the Omani Sohar Port.