NIOC, Shell sign MoU for exploration studies on three oil & gas fields

Tehran, Dec 7, IRNA – National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and Royal/ Dutch Shell on Wednesday signed Memorandum of Understanding to launch exploration studies of three oil and gas fields. A ceremony was held in presence of Managing Director of NIOC Ali Kardor and British Ambassador to Tehran Nicholas Hopton. The MoU was signed by Managing Director of MATN Company Noureddine Shahnazizadeh and Deputy chief of Shell Bureau in Iran Hans Nijkamp. Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands in Tehran and a group of oil industry officials were present at the ceremony as well. Three oil and gas fields of 'Southern Azadegan', 'Yadavaran' and 'Kish' have been singled for exploration by Royal/Dutch Shell. Following implementation of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and removal of sanctions in January 2016, international oil companies began negotiations to work in Iran's oil industry. Given the harsh statement of Donald Trump against JCPOA agreement, concerns raised for the oil companies about cooperation with Iranian oil industry. Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh in remarks to IRNA dismissed impact of election of Trump as the next US president on Iranian negotiations with international oil companies. 1378/IRNA