Iran is planning to boost its processed natural gas output to nearly 330 billion cubic meters (bcm) a year in the next two years, said head of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC).
"The Islamic Republic of Iran, as the world's largest holder of natural gas reserves, has defined several scenarios for exports and increased presence in international gas markets," Hamidreza Araqi told Shana.
He said Iran has prioritized raising natural gas exports in its Sixth Five-Year Development Plan (2016-21).
Araqi said the prime target of the plan is to boost Iran's presence in international gas markets.
He further underlined that the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), as a policy-making body, exchanges information and data about the gas industry among members. The forum, he said, does not decide on gas pricing.
GECF members account for 42 percent of global gas output, 70 percent of global gas reserves, 40 percent of pipe gas transmission, and 65 percent of global trade of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
GECF consists of 17 main and observer members. Its permanent secretariat is located in Doha, Qatar.
Russia, Iran, Qatar, Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, and the United Arab Emirates, are the main members of the gas exporting body. Observer countries are the Netherlands, Iraq, Oman, Peru and Norway.