Bahrain currently produces 1.2bn cuft/yr of gas, and a final deal with Iran is expected to be signed shortly, the minister said. "If the final talks, scheduled for early this year, are successful, we shall discuss the construction of a pipeline to carry gas from the Pars Field – a joint field between Iran and Qatar – to Bahrain," he announced. However, it could be five years before the pipeline is completed across the Gulf. "The (pipeline) project may take more than four years to complete and Iran has agreed in principle to sell 1 bn cuft/d of gas to Bahrain," Dr Mirza said. "Bahrain's current production is 1.2 bn cuft/d, and we will require the extra 1bn for our development projects." Other initiatives to increase Bahrain's gas production include allowing oil companies to explore to greater depths. "We have launched a deep gas initiative," the minister said. "International oil companies which now explore to 15,000-16,000ft below the ground will be authorised to drill down to 20,000ft. Plans are also underway to import LNG by ship, after building the necessary reception facility in Bahrain. The idea is to secure enough gas supply for our future needs." Dr Mirza signed a framework agreement on importing gas with his Iranian counterpart Ghulam Hussain Nowzari following signature of a memorandum of understanding bewteen Iran and Bahrain during the visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in November.