Lukashenka expected in Iran

• 11.02.2010, 14:20

The visit is officially timed to start of commercial oil production in Jofeyr oil field.

“Belarusian and Iranian specialists are working there now. I think we start commercial oil production within the next five months. A date of the visit depends on a date of first production,” Iranian Ambassador to Belarus Seyyed Abdollah Hosseini said at a press conference in Minsk, BelaPAN reports.

We remind that the joint project on oil production was discussed in Minsk on January 29 by deputy prime minister of Belarus Uladzimir Syamashka and Head of the Presidential Office of Iran Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei. It was noted that the project would bring return in 1.5–2 years.

“A theme of oil production and selling on world markets is very important for Belarus today,” Syamashka emphasized. He expressed gratitude to Iranian leadership for providing an opportunity and creating necessary conditions for oil production and sales.

“Belarus in its turn also takes reasonable measures to create comfortable conditions for Iranian business and launch joint projects,” Syamashka said.

A contract on developing Jofeyr oil field was signed between Belorusneft and the National Iranian Oil Company in September 2007. Joint venture Belpars Petroleum Company Limited was created at that time.

Jofeyr oil field is situated in Iran close to the Iraqi border. Jofeyr's geological reserves are estimated at 2.1 billion bbl. Under the contract, the planned oil extraction volume is projected to make 15,000 barrels daily on the first stage.

As charter97.org has already reported, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proclaimed Iran a nuclear nation on February 11. The United State imposed new sanctions on Iran. At the same time, Alyaksandr Lukashenka congratulated Ahmadinejad on the Day of the Islamic Revolution and stressed that Belarus and Iran have been steadily expanding their relations in all sectors.