Gholamreza Manouchehri told Petroenergy Information Network that SADRA has indicated its readiness to lay pipes related to the said phase of South Pars gas field and has ordered needed pipes, but its performance should be first confirmed by Norway’s Statoil.

The official expressed hope that if Statoil does not confirm performance of SADRA, construction of the pipeline will be implemented by Iran Offshore Engineering and Construction Company.

He said onshore operations related to development of South Pars phases 6, 7, and 8 have progressed 97 percent while the offshore part has progressed 94 percent, adding, “At present, platform of phase 7 has been installed and production from the platform will start in three months.”

The managing director stated that the pipeline for phases 6 and 7 of the project is ready and Petropars is waiting for acceleration of SADRA’s operations for constructing phase 8 pipeline.

“Engineering operations related to phase 12 are over and tender documents related to pipeline and top site have been sold. We hope both envelops will be opened next month and relevant contract will be signed,” he said.

Manouchehri said due to market situation, Petropars will not wait for a pipeline contractor to be chosen and will provide needed pipes for phase 12 of South Pars gas field.

He noted that onshore part of phase 12 development plan includes three EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) projects.

“The first EPC (EPC1) includes construction of administrative buildings and civil operations. EPC 2 includes construction of water desalinator and related installations and EPC 3 pertains to gas sweetening installations,” he said.

Referring to Petropars’ operations in Venezuela, Manouchehri noted that Venezuela is rich in hydrocarbon resources, adding, “Drilling 28 wells at block 7 of Ayacucho oil field will finish by the end of August. Then the report on economic feasibility of the field will be provided and forwarded to the national Venezuelan oil company as well as NICO.”

Managing director of Petropars stated that the said report will be confirmed by the end of 2007 and development of block 7 of Ayacucho oil field will begin in early 2008.

“We have also held negotiations with the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company for refining crude oil that will be produced by the said field,” he said.

Manouchehri also elaborated on the company’s studies in Africa, saying, “With support of the President and Foreign Ministry, Petropars has started infrastructural operations and, at the moment, three oil blocks are being explored in Sudan.”

Managing director of Petropars stated that the main goals of his company are to develop oil and gas fields of Iran, enter into international markets and turn into an international oil major.

“Petropars is planning to become an international oil concern and allocate part of its production to its own activities using that privilege for taking loans and becoming a member of international oil majors,” he said.

Manouchehri stated that part of government’s obligations under Article 44 of the constitution is to pave the way for the private sector, adding that Iran’s rich oil and gas reserves provide domestic contractors with fabulous opportunities.

“Through the support afforded by the government and Majlis, Petropars has been able to give priority to the Iranian contractors when implementing its projects. Our employees have been lauded by the government and the president for implementing international projects and, on the other hand, managing director of the National Iranian Oil Company and managing director of Pars Oil and Gas Company have never hesitated in giving projects to us,” he said.

Manouchehri noted that every phase of South Pars gas field will fetch the country about 2 billion dollars, adding that most Iranian oil and gas fields are capable of earning similar amounts of revenues.

“Therefore, preserving and developing Petropars as well as promoting its capabilities are, in fact, helping the domestic oil industry to thrive,” he added.