Crescent Petroleum Chairman Hamad Jafar told the Emirates Business News Agency that some developments on the stalled pipeline were expected by June.

“We are hopeful the pipeline will start this year, the technical delays are on the Iranian side,” said Mr Jafar.

In 2001, Crescent and National Iranian Oil Company signed an agreement to transport natural gas from the Salman Field to Lavan Island, situated in the Persian Gulf, via a 145 km pipeline.