Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering digging a huge channel to separate itself from neighbouring peninsula Qatar.
The two nations have endured an increasingly fractious relationship following a 14-month-long dispute over terrorism claims and other feuds.
According to numerous local media reports, Saudi Arabia is drawing up plans for a 60 kilometre-long, 200 metre-wide and 20 metre-deep gulf between it and Qatar.
That would make the channel longer than New Zealand's Hutt River, which is four kilometres shorter at 56km in length.
"I am impatiently waiting for details on the implementation of the Salwa island project, a great, historic project that will change the geography of the region," Saud al-Qahtani, a senior adviser to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said on Twitter.
It's believed the channel could cost up to 2.8 billion riyals (NZ$1.1billion), and would be reserved for a nuclear waste facility.
Five companies are currently bidding for rights to build the channel, according to reports.
Saudi newspaper Makkah reports that there are hopes the project would be completed within a year of it starting.
Newshub.
