Responding to reporters' questions at a press conference held today morning in Tehran, Dr. Mirkazemi said that there is not too much demand for oil in the market and so we think the OPEC output should not be increased.
Emphasizing on the necessity of oil supply management by OPEC and Non OPEC oil producers, the petroleum minister said: it is expected the OPEC production remains unchanged in the coming gathering, because evidences show that the market situation has not changed considerably.
Mr. Mirkazemi noted that oil-consuming countries should pay more attention to market situation, because in case of lacking incentives to invest, supply may lags behind the demand and then world oil markets would face serious instability.
OPEC has left its output ceiling unchanged for more than a year since announcing a record supply curb of 4.2 million bpd in December 2008 to combat lower demand and prices, which were both hit by the economic crisis. OPEC's 156th conference will be held on 17 March in Vienna, Austria.
win-win game
Elsewhere in his remarks, Iranian petroleum minister stressed on a win-win game for oil producing and oil consuming countries so that both sides be able to do long term planning and achieve acceptable gains.
Having said that Iran has respected its production quota, Mr. Mirkazemi said that Iran's oil production capacity stands at 4.150 million b/d now.
Referring to investment in oil and gas projects, the petroleum minister said investment in gas projects fall behind oil sector.
He continued those who are willing to invest in LNG, should submit more economic offers to make investment in the gas projects justifiable and that is why Iran is not too much interested to authorize investment in its LNG projects.
sanctions are not new
Concerning banning gasoline sale to Iran, Mr. Mirkazemi told the conference that sanctions are not new and the Islamic Republic of Irand has been able to cope with the sanctions successfully over the previous 31 years.
He noted that the needed gasoline would be met effectively through different sources; that is while there is the possibility to produce it domestically. The petroleum minister remarked that those who ban gasoline sales to Iran ban themselves actually and their names enter into the black list. Furthermore, he said these kind of acts are against international laws on trade.
According to the petroleum minister, the past indicates those who invested in Iran's oil industry, could achieve remarkable gains. Mirkazemi reiterated that Iran has huge human and hydrocarbon resources and would be able to absorb up to 200 billion dollars investments, regardless some foriegn companies to be interested to invest in our country or not.
Answering a question about the Iran and China cooperation in oil industry, the official said: the two sides' co-operations are desirable and the Chinese side has had a rational behavior amid investment in Iran.