Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MUSCAT405
2009-05-06 14:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:
IRAN-OMAN GAS DEAL OFF AGAIN, WAS IT EVER ON?
how-toVZCZCXRO7776 OO RUEHDE DE RUEHMS #0405 1261424 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O R 061425Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE INFO GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000405
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/05/06
TAGS: EPET PREL IR MU
SUBJECT: IRAN-OMAN GAS DEAL OFF AGAIN, WAS IT EVER ON?
REF: MUSCAT 45
CLASSIFIED BY: L. Victor Hurtado, DCM; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000405
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/05/06
TAGS: EPET PREL IR MU
SUBJECT: IRAN-OMAN GAS DEAL OFF AGAIN, WAS IT EVER ON?
REF: MUSCAT 45
CLASSIFIED BY: L. Victor Hurtado, DCM; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (U) Reuters reported May 6 that Oman will delay by at least a
year a joint venture with Iran to develop the Kish gas field due to
tight finances. The report cited an Omani industry source involved
in the project. According to this source, "The production from the
Kish gas field will not happen in 2012 as planned. The uncertainty
of the global financial crunch has forced Oman to put the project
on hold for a year."
2. (U) The story notes that Oman's oil and gas minister said last
year the financial crisis would likely impact the country's energy
projects and cause delays. The project to develop the Iranian gas
field has a price tag of up to $12bn that Oman had agreed to fund
fully.
3. (U) An Omani energy official said last year the Kish development
was expected to be signed off in December 2008 and that the project
would be wholly funded by Oman. According to Reuters, 200 km
undersea pipeline from the field would run from Musandam, near the
strategic Strait of Hormuz, to Sohar in Oman. Phase one of the
project would transport gas to Oman at a rate of 1 billion cubic
feet per day (cfd),later rising to 3 billion cfd.
4. (C) Comment: Muscat's Oil Gas Minister al-Rumhi evinced great
skepticism last January (reftel) that negotiations on this project
would be concluded any time soon, noting great frustration in
negotiations with Tehran. That said, the Minister explained that
the deal was "necessary and inevitable" as Oman did not have
sufficient gas to meet internal requirements and after having been
turned down by Qatar and Saudi Arabia. End Comment.
GRAPPO
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/05/06
TAGS: EPET PREL IR MU
SUBJECT: IRAN-OMAN GAS DEAL OFF AGAIN, WAS IT EVER ON?
REF: MUSCAT 45
CLASSIFIED BY: L. Victor Hurtado, DCM; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (U) Reuters reported May 6 that Oman will delay by at least a
year a joint venture with Iran to develop the Kish gas field due to
tight finances. The report cited an Omani industry source involved
in the project. According to this source, "The production from the
Kish gas field will not happen in 2012 as planned. The uncertainty
of the global financial crunch has forced Oman to put the project
on hold for a year."
2. (U) The story notes that Oman's oil and gas minister said last
year the financial crisis would likely impact the country's energy
projects and cause delays. The project to develop the Iranian gas
field has a price tag of up to $12bn that Oman had agreed to fund
fully.
3. (U) An Omani energy official said last year the Kish development
was expected to be signed off in December 2008 and that the project
would be wholly funded by Oman. According to Reuters, 200 km
undersea pipeline from the field would run from Musandam, near the
strategic Strait of Hormuz, to Sohar in Oman. Phase one of the
project would transport gas to Oman at a rate of 1 billion cubic
feet per day (cfd),later rising to 3 billion cfd.
4. (C) Comment: Muscat's Oil Gas Minister al-Rumhi evinced great
skepticism last January (reftel) that negotiations on this project
would be concluded any time soon, noting great frustration in
negotiations with Tehran. That said, the Minister explained that
the deal was "necessary and inevitable" as Oman did not have
sufficient gas to meet internal requirements and after having been
turned down by Qatar and Saudi Arabia. End Comment.
GRAPPO