10/15/2011

Russian Energy Minister hopes to renew oil deal with Iran


Πηγή: Trend
Oct 15 2011


Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said Moscow hopes for further talks about the development of Iran's Azar oil field after Tehran ousted Gazprom Neft from the project, FNA reported.

"We count on discussing this with our Iranian colleagues in the near future," he told reporters after a Presidium meeting, Interfax reported.

The National Iranian Oil Company said earlier this week that it abandoned the plan to develop the Azar field jointly with Gazprom Neft, saying the Russian company showed a lack of interest. On Tuesday, the Iranian state oil company signed a $1.9 billion deal for Azar with a consortium of Iranian firms that will replace Gazprom Neft.

Iran's displeasure with Gazprom Neft first came to light in August. Shmatko said Thursday that during a recent trip to Tehran the countries agreed to consider replacing Gazprom Neft with another Russian company.

Russian state-owned Zarubezhneft signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with Iran in summer.


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