An international arbitration panel examining the failed deal between Crescent Petroleum and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to supply gas to the UAE has determined that the 25-year contract was valid and binding, and that NIOC has therefore been obligated to deliver gas since December 2005, according to a 10 August statement from Crescent’s partner Dana Gas. Crescent said it now hopes to resolve matters through “constructive discussions” with NIOC; there are still a number of hurdles to overcome before gas might flow.