Kirkuk-Iran oil pipeline on horizon

A pipeline that would export oil from Iraq’s Kirkuk fields via Iran is being assessed by officials from both countries, Iran’s petroleum minister said on Sunday.

Bijan Namdar Zangeneh made the comments following a meeting with Iraqi Minister of Oil Jabar Al Luaibi in Tehran.

The two sides signed an MoU in February on assessing construction of the pipeline. In Sunday’s meeting, Zangeneh and Al Luaibi discussed selecting an international firm to conduct a feasibility study for the project.

Zangeneh also said Iranian gas exports to Iraq’s Basra would begin within months and had been delayed due to banking-related issues that were resolved with a switch to cash payments.

Gazprom signs MoU on Changouleh and Azar

Gazprom signed an agreement with Iran’s Oil Industries Engineering and Construction late last week on two field studies, Iranian media reported on Sunday.

The Russian company will conduct studies of the Changouleh and Azar oilfields, both located in the Anaran block in western Iran on the Iraqi border.

Oil Industries Engineering and Construction had signed a non-disclosure agreement with Gazprom in 2016 that envisioned future collaboration.

As joint fields with substantial reserves, Changouleh and Azar have been singled out as priorities for investment by the National Iranian Oil Company.