Iran has initiated a substantial endeavor to bolster its oil production capabilities, emphasizing the utilization of domestic enterprises for advancing its energy sector.
The country has unveiled contracts worth $13 billion aimed at augmenting output from six oil fields by as much as 350,000 barrels per day. This strategic move forms part of Iran’s broader agenda to diminish its dependence on foreign entities and adapt to the challenges posed by international sanctions.
Notably, the development of the Azadegan field, estimated to hold 32 billion barrels of oil reserves, and the Azar field, shared with Iraq, are flagship projects within this initiative.
Amid Sanctions, Embracing Domestic Resources
The shift towards domestic firms gained momentum notably in 2018 when multinational corporations withdrew from Iran’s energy market following the United States’ withdrawal from the Tehran nuclear deal and the subsequent reinstatement of sanctions by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
This trajectory of emphasizing local resources and companies has been further accentuated under the presidency of Ebrahim Raisi, who has advocated for reducing reliance on foreign entities and resources since assuming office in 2021.
Iran’s Largest Oil Agreements in a Decade
The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) has characterized these new contracts as Iran’s most significant oil deals in the past decade. However, specifics regarding the funding mechanisms for these projects remain undisclosed.
In 2022, a consortium of local companies and banks was entrusted with developing the Azadegan field, necessitating investments estimated at $7 billion. Additionally, Iran recently unveiled contracts worth $20 billion awarded to domestic firms to expedite production from the South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf, highlighting a competitive endeavor with Qatar.
