Tehran is preparing to hold a licensing round for 14 oil exploration blocks in July, the exploration director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) said Monday, according to a report on the Oil Ministry’s news website, Shana.
Of the 14 exploration blocks unveiled earlier in the day, six blocks are expected to attract foreign investors, Saleh Hendi told Shana on the sidelines of the ongoing Iran Oil Show 2018 in Tehran.
Hendi said that Austria's OMV, Russia's Lukoil and China's CNPC had shown interest in the exploration blocks, for which development agreements would be signed.
He added that seven blocks were located in the Zagros and Persian Gulf areas, including four commercial blocks.
The blocks cover more than 80,000 square kilometers and are located in six sedimentary areas across the country.
The most important blocks are located in the west and southwest, Shana said, adding three onshore blocks were in northeastern Iran.
The 23rd Iran International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition opened in Tehran on Sunday.
Over 4,000 Iranian and foreign international companies from 38 countries are represented at the four-day annual convention, which is sponsored by the Oil Ministry and its subsidiary, NIOC.
By Hale Turkes
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr