On the sidelines of the World Gas Conference in Paris, the representatives of 15 French investors and owners of major energy companies including Total, Technip, Schneider, and Vinci Energy met the head of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) to discuss opportunities in the Iran.

Heading the Iranian delegation, Hamid Reza Araghi visited the French capital to attend the World Gas Conference but French entrepreneurs used the occasion to explore prospects in Iran.

The meetings occurred after the representatives of many major companies in France have requested meetings to discuss possible cooperation.

Also, in addition to meeting with Turkish BOTAŞ Petroleum Pipeline Corporation, on Thursday, Araghi met with representatives of Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF) which is the largest employer federation in France.

The 26th edition of the World Gas Conference brought together the world’s leading energy players, decision makers and thousands of industry professionals to discuss current issues and challenges and future prospects of the gas industry.

Reportedly, over 4,000 delegates from more than 100 countries attended the Paris conference.

Iran possesses the second biggest reserves of gas in the world after Russia.

An official said Tehran is considering several gas delivery routes to Europe after Western sanctions are lifted.

Azizollah Ramezani, head of NIGC’s liaison office, told RIA Novosti news agency that five or six routes via Turkey, the Black Sea, Iraq, Syria, and the Mediterranean were being considered.

The official said Iran may use the Turkish Stream gas pipeline currently being developed by Russia, although it has not been discussed yet.