Iran is readying its first round of oil and gas exploration tenders since the easing of economic sanctions, hoping to attract the likes of BP and Gazprom, an Iranian energy official said on July 10.
Sitting on some of the world’s biggest energy reserves, Iran has already been working on deals to develop existing fields such as South Pars, South Azadegan, Yadavaran, West Karoon, Mansuri and Abe-Timur.
France’s Total last week became the first major to sign a post-sanctions development deal with Iran. Russia’s Lukoil and Denmark’s Maersk are also potential investors.
Next on the horizon is the search for new oil, with the state-owned National Iranian Oil Co. (NIOC) planning to tender 14 oil and gas blocks for exploration in the next two to three months, NIOC’s deputy director for exploration blocks, Rahim Nematollahi, said on the sidelines of an energy industry conference in Istanbul.
Most of the new exploration blocks are in the Zagros, Koppet Dagh and the Middle Eastern Gulf region and would require minimum exploration expenditure of between $16 million and $91 million
The biggest exploration expenses are expected for blocks Parsa and Bamdad in the Gulf, amounting to $91 million and $85 million, respectively.
Nematollahi also said that BP, Austria’s OMV, Gazprom, Lukoil as well as Italy’s Edison and Malaysia’s Petronas have expressed interest in new exploration blocks.
Recommended Reading
SilverBow Rejects Kimmeridge’s Latest Offer, ‘Sets the Record Straight’
2024-03-28 - In a letter to SilverBow shareholders, the E&P said Kimmeridge’s offer “substantially undervalues SilverBow” and that Kimmeridge’s own South Texas gas asset values are “overstated.”
SM Energy Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
2024-03-26 - SM Energy’s dividend will be paid out on May 3 to stockholders on record as of April 19.
Matador Stock Offering to Pay for New Permian A&D—Analyst
2024-03-26 - Matador Resources is offering more than 5 million shares of stock for proceeds of $347 million to pay for newly disclosed transactions in Texas and New Mexico.
Par Pacific Asset-based Revolving Credit Bumped Up by 55%
2024-03-25 - The amendment increases Par Pacific Holdings’ existing asset-based revolving credit facility to $1.4 billion from $900 million.
California Resources Corp. Nominates Christian Kendall to Board of Directors
2024-03-21 - California Resources Corp. has nominated Christian Kendall, former president and CEO of Denbury, to serve on its board.