Tehran, Oct 1 (IANS): Iran has discovered a major helium reserve, an estimated 10 billion cubic meters of gas, in the southern part of the country, the official media reported Friday.

The reserve lies in South Pars gas field, according to Mousa Souri, the managing director of Pars Oil and Gas Company.

The volume of the world's helium reserve is 40 billion cubic meters and South Pars gas field alone holds 10 billion cubic meters, Xinhua reported quoting the state-run Press TV.

Souri said Iran has signed an agreement with a Russian company to complete the feasibility studies for the gas reserve.

South Pars/North Dome is located in the Persian Gulf. It is the world's largest gas field shared between Iran and Qatar.

According to the International Energy Agency, the field holds an estimated 50.97 trillion cubic meters of in-situ gas and some 50 billion barrels of condensates.

It covers an area of 9,700 sq. km., of which 3,700 sq. km. (South Pars) is in Iranian territorial waters and 6,000 sq. km. (North Dome) is in Qatari territorial waters.