Amsterdam - The Netherlands is seeking observer status on the 14-member Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), the source of 70 per cent of the world's gas reserves, officials said Monday.

Economic Affairs Minister Maria van der Hoeven would file a request to that effect during a visit to Qatar on June 15, her spokesperson told the daily Het Financieele Dagblad.

GECF members include Russia, Iran and Algeria.

Theoretically, the GECF could function as a cartel and determine production quota and prices. If this were to become the case, however, the Netherlands would leave the forum, van der Hoeven said.

The Netherlands, which has one of Europe's most advanced gas pipeline networks due to its own natural gas resources, aspires to become one of Europe's main natural gas suppliers and distributors.

The country is currently building a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) station in Rotterdam harbour from where gas could be distributed throughout Europe.

In recent months, the Netherlands has increasingly sought the cooperation of Algeria and Qatar for the purchase of gas for the new station.

Western Europe's largest natural gas field is located in the northeastern Dutch province of Groningen. The 900-square-kilometre field was discovered in 1959.(dpa)