CARACAS, October 28. /TASS/. Venezuela expects to rank fourth in the world in natural gas reserves following an assessment of resources in its territorial waters and on its continental shelf, the country’s Hydrocarbons Minister Paula Henao said at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow.

Henao noted that Venezuela currently "ranks ninth in the world in gas reserves and is projected to move into fourth place following an assessment of resources in its territorial waters and on its continental shelf." According to the country’s Hydrocarbons Ministry, the minister also announced that Venezuela had begun exporting gas.

During the summit, the minister emphasized the importance of international cooperation in mitigating the effects of climate change and addressing the sector’s challenges related to energy security, sustainable development, and energy accessibility. Henao proposed expanding cooperation among gas-exporting countries to strengthen their influence on the international market.