German gases and engineering group Linde is in line to nail down a large chunk of the LNG projects plannd for Iran, acording to news agency reports circulating in the Middle East country. The reports said the contractor has now received credit guarantees from insurance company Euler Hermes. A fresh round of talks between Linde and Iranian officials about the projects is said to be planned for the near future. The discussions are thought to center around new investments, technology transfer, training and R&D and development projects.

The German company reportedly has already inked a deal to provide technical support to Kian Petrochemical Complex and also agreed to participate in some of the country's biggest petrochemical projects, including those planned for the Imam Khomeini Petrochemical Complex. Linde has not yet confirmed any of the projects. Before US sanctions were imposed, the Munich-based contractor was one of the largest players in Iran.

Earlier this year, the National Iranian Gas Exports Company (NIGEC) was reported to be in talks with unidentified foreign firms to sell at least 20% of its 49% stake in the country’s $3.3 billion “frontrunner” LNG project, which would  produce 10.5 million t/y of liquefied gas per year. At the time Linde was said to have offered to help complete projects interrupted by the sanctions.