Iran plans bid round, starts platform

Iran

TEHRAN, May 7, 2018 – Iran will tender 14 exploration blocks in July, Iranian Ministry of Petroleum news portal Shana reported on Monday.

“Of the 14 exploration blocks, 6 blocks are expected to be attractive to foreign investors and for which development agreements would be signed,” Saleh Hendi, the exploration director of the National Iranian Oil Company, was quoted as saying.

OMV and China’s CPNC have shown interest in the blocks, seven of which are in the Zagros area and in the Gulf, the report added.

The news came days after sour gas production at phase 14 of the South Pars project started, Shana reported separately on Saturday. Platform 14A, which came on stream at the massive gasfield, has capacity of 14.2 mcm (500 mcf) per day.