Iran signs preliminary $4.8B gas deal with French energy giant Total
by The Associated Press
As sanctions against Iran are lifted, landmark deal would see Total and several partners develop the vast South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf
TEHRAN—Iran signed a preliminary $4.8 billion gas agreement with the French company Total Nov. 8, the first such deal after a nuclear accord with world powers removed international sanctions that had squeezed its fossil fuel-based economy.
The agreement, to be finalized next year, is for new development at the vast South Pars gas field, and aims to produce 1.8 billion cubic feet (56 million cubic meters) of gas per day for domestic consumption and export.
Total would have a 50.1 per cent stake, the China National Petroleum Corporation would have 30 per cent, and Petropars, a subsidiary of Iran’s national oil company, will have 19.9 per cent ownership. The three-year project includes 30 wells, two offshore platforms and two pipelines extending 85 miles (136 kilometres).
Iran seeks to be a gas production hub to feed neighbouring countries as well as Europe and China. It currently produces some 500 million cubic meters of gas per day, which mainly goes to domestic consumption.
The landmark nuclear deal came into effect at the start of this year. It lifts international sanctions on Iran in return for Tehran curbing its nuclear program.
