Iran is likely to export gas to Oman by 2020, according to the gas export department director at the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC).

Talks were ongoing between both sides with representatives from France’s Total, Anglo-Dutch oil major Shell, Korea Gas Corporation, Germany’s Uniper and Japan’s Mitsui offering proposals for the completion of the project, said Ali Amirani, in comments reported by Iranian petroleum news agency Shana.

Following a meeting between the Iranian and Omani oil ministers, the two countries re-affirmed their commitment to building the pipeline to supply gas to Oman, bypassing UAE territorial waters.

The gas is expected to be received at Oman’s Qalhat liquefied natural gas terminal.

The proposed pipeline is expected to supply Omanin a deal lasting up to 25 years. A proposal on the project first signed in 2013 has been delayed because of the UAE’s opposition to the pipeline passing through its waters as well as issues related to gas pricing.