Director of Exploration Affairs at NIOC Seyyed Saleh Hendi
said plans were underway to award exploration projects to domestic E&P
companies now that the US was exerting pressure on foreign companies to operate
in Iran.
“At least three exploration blocs will be awarded to
domestic firms in the near future,” the official said.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Mr. Hendi said
NIOC presented 14 exploration blocs to domestic and international companies
during the Tehran Oil Show in May.
“Despite the fact that the blocs were presented to investors
in order to absorb direct investments, we have decided to award them to
domestic companies given imposition of US sanctions on Iran’s oil industry,” he
said.
He also stated that three or four blocs would be awarded to
domestic firms in the coming months.
The official also confirmed that new discoveries had been
made in oil and gas fields in Iran, but refrained from announcing any figures
in this regard, saying announcement of such figures was only up to the Iranian
Minister of Petroleum.