Reza Aqebati, director of engineering and development at the National Iranian Oil Company, said major Russian companies have invested in and are currently active in seven Iranian oil fields. He said officials hope those companies' role in field development and production will grow in the near future.

Aqebati said Iran's oil minister has placed particular emphasis on bringing in Russian investors to help develop oil and gas fields. He added that given Russian companies' interest in expanding their investments in Iran, efforts to remove obstacles and broaden cooperation are ongoing.

The seven fields where Russian firms have invested are Aban, West Paydar, East Paydar, Dalpari, Cheshmeh Khosh, Shadegan and Kupal, Aqebati said. Of those, West Paydar and Aban are joint fields, and talks are underway to increase Russian companies' participation, he said.

Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev traveled to Tehran last week and met with Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad. Their discussions focused on the progress of 146 agreed provisions from the 19th session of the Iran-Russia Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, as well as efforts to speed up oil field development projects and gas trade between the two countries.