Following the conclusion of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Saturday, Irans Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs Amir-Hossein Zamaniniya talked to Sputnik about the prospects for Russian companies developing Iranian oil and gas fields, Sputnik reported.
Iran and Russia inked a roadmap for cooperation in the energy sector at the 21st St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2017). These are intended to create favorable conditions for joint investment projects between the two countries.
The roadmap was signed by Iran's Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs Amir-Hossein Zamaniniya and Russia's Deputy Minister of Energy Kirill Molodtsov in a meeting between the joint energy taskforces of Iran and Russia at the 2nd meeting of the Russian–Iranian working group for energy cooperation under the permanent Russian–Iranian joint trade and economic commission.
The roadmap came as the result of talks behind the closed doors between the Iranian authorities and Russian oil and gas companies, which presented their suggestions for the exploration and development of Iranian oil and gas fields.
Sputnik sat down with Iran's Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs Amir-Hossein Zamaniniya to discuss the issue.
One of the most vital issues which was discussed at the Forum, the Minister said, was the impact of the energy sector on the environment and the balance between the energy and the environment. Among the new aspects which were discussed was the role of oil and gas as fossil fuels after 2050.
There is every probability that the percentage of oil and gas in the world's energy basket won't remain the same as it is today, at 80 percent, but still will be sizable, he said. Hence there should be serious investments into the development of the oil and gas sector. Interesting and innovative solutions to the oil and gas sector were presented at the Forum.
Amir-Hossein Zamaniniya also commented on the meeting of the Russian–Iranian working group for energy cooperation, saying that the 6-7 largest Russian oil and gas companies have expressed their interest in developing nine Iranian oil and gas fields.
They have already conducted preliminary studies and have evaluated all the necessary work. Some already have so-called Master Development Plans (MDP). Iran will now review and study these plans.
The Minister noted that there is a very high potential for cooperation between Russian and Iranian oil and gas companies. He also expressed hope that the practical phase of cooperation will be launched in the nearest future.
