Ali-Mohammad Mousavi noted that Iran’s capable oil and gas companies are ready to collaborate on large-scale projects with neighboring Caspian countries, adhering to international standards and offering highly competitive costs.

Mousavi, speaking at a specialized energy session during the Caspian Economic Forum, highlighted the shared cultural and historical ties among Caspian nations, as well as their long-standing economic and political connections.

He stated that the Caspian region is strategically positioned in the global energy landscape, endowed with vast oil and gas reserves that are a unique blessing for its people.

Mousavi added that Caspian countries, leveraging their distinct strengths, can expand cooperation across various sectors of the oil and gas industry.

For instance, Russia brings advanced technology and capital, Turkmenistan plays a key role in stable natural gas supply and exports, Kazakhstan excels in oil industry development and cutting-edge technology, and Azerbaijan has made strides in both oil and gas development.

He stressed that each country possesses technical and specialized capabilities in the oil and gas sector, which can be shared for regional development. Mousavi also emphasized the potential for Caspian neighbors to collaborate on north-south and east-west energy corridors, enhancing international energy security. This cooperation should extend to both oil and gas sectors and the interconnection of power grids.

Mousavi pointed out that developing Caspian Sea trade as a common platform could facilitate the maritime transport of crude oil and petroleum products.

Utilizing coastal infrastructure, oil shipments could be delivered to major markets in the Indian subcontinent, Eastern Europe, and the Persian Gulf region.

However, he acknowledged that the declining water levels of the Caspian Sea pose a challenge that requires collective efforts to address.

Iran’s readiness to establish a secretariat

Mousavi proposed that improving economic ties through joint oil and gas projects could lead to various initiatives for developing and utilizing Caspian hydrocarbon resources.

Given the high costs and logistical challenges of transporting exploration and drilling equipment, there is a significant opportunity for neighboring countries to collaborate, which has not been fully utilized so far.

He suggested that the five Caspian littoral states could undertake joint projects, leveraging their equipment and expertise to boost their economies. As a short-term measure, Mousavi proposed creating a center for knowledge and technology exchange among specialists, experts, and managers.

Iran’s Ministry of Oil, home to the largest specialized research center in the Middle East, is prepared to establish a secretariat for oil and gas knowledge and technology development among Caspian neighbors, pending agreement.

Focus on marine safety, environmental protection

Mousavi identified environmental protection and marine ecosystem preservation as critical international concerns.

He called for Caspian countries to form a joint emergency response center, equipped with a capable fleet, to coordinate efforts in addressing hydrocarbon field incidents and marine pollution.

He also highlighted the potential for neighboring countries to utilize each other’s spare refining capacities to process crude oil and gas condensates, thereby avoiding raw material exports and fostering trade in refined petroleum products.

Mousavi noted that the five Caspian states benefit from a young and skilled workforce, which can drive economic development and job creation in the region.

Iran: A reliable, economical transit route

Mousavi emphasized Iran’s strategic position as a bridge between the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea in the south and the Caspian Sea in the north.

Iran offers the most reliable, secure, and cost-effective transit or swap routes for crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products, and petrochemicals to countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Iraq, and international markets in the Persian Gulf region.

To activate this potential, Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum has developed robust infrastructure in Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Oman Sea ports. For example, the Neka oil terminal can handle daily imports and exports of various petroleum products and liquefied gas, with a simultaneous loading and unloading capacity for five vessels carrying 5,000 to 7,000 tons and storage for 1.5 million barrels.

The terminal also features a state-of-the-art laboratory, serving as a regional reference lab for neighboring countries’ oil companies.

Mousavi added that connecting Iran’s power grid to neighboring countries could enhance grid stability and create multiple energy exchange markets.

Bridge between Central Asia and Europe

Mousavi highlighted Iran’s role as a link between Central Asia and Europe, connecting to emerging economic powers like China and India through its eastern neighbors and to West Asia, North Africa, and Europe through its western neighbors.

Iran also serves as a key electrical connectivity route for Central Asia, the Caucasus, and even Shanghai Cooperation Organization members to the Persian Gulf region.

In upstream oil and gas activities, Iran’s Caspian Oil Company is well-equipped to collaborate with neighboring countries on exploration, development, and production. Iran can also refine crude oil from Caspian littoral states in its refineries.

Mousavi concluded by reiterating Iran’s readiness to establish a secretariat for oil and gas knowledge and technology development among Caspian neighbors.

He invited regional oil and gas companies to participate in the 29th International Oil, Gas, Refining, and Petrochemical Exhibition in Tehran in May 2025.