Presidents of Shell and Eni have had several meetings with the Iranian officials in Tehran to discuss investments, reported The Financial Rimes. For the first time the oil companies’ representatives have confirmed that they conduct talks with Iran.
Shell press office told the newspaper that the companies’ officials and representatives have discussed debts of the National Iranian Oil Company. “They have also discussed potential possibilities for the business cooperation on condition of lifting of the sanctions,” he added.
The meetings have been held in May and June and they show growing interest in the Iranian energy field. The country is trying to double production by the end of 2020, but it needs tens of billions of dollars of investments to implement its plans.
Eni President Claudio Deskalzi visited Tehran in May to conduct talks with the Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganekh, said the company’s representative. The unpaid credits and “the possibility to invest into the Iranian oil and gas industry” have become a subject of discussion.
According to the reliable sources, Iran could offer the foreign companies the draft contracts on more attractive conditions, than before, as well as partnership in the joint ventures. According to Energy Pioneers consulting firm, duration of the contracts will be increased up to 30 years.
Iran is the third world biggest oil and gas maker. At present the country extracts about 2.7 million barrels of oil a day. According to the Wood Mackenzie consulting company, Tehran could increase production up to 600,000 barrels by the end of 2017.
