Speaking to Shana on the sidelines of the 1st Austrian Technology Transfer Symposium for Enhanced Oil Recovery by Using Treated Water here in Tehran, he said: "This is an excellent opportunity for us to be here and participating at this symposium.  There are so many representatives from different Iranian oil companies, service companies, consulting companies and universities attending this event. We are delighted to meet such professional audience to present new technologies and workflows HOT is offering to the Iranian oil and gas industry. I feel very confident in Iran. I came to Iran a year and a half ago to attend the Oil and Gas Show and, since then, I've been here several times. I see a lot of progress in the country and within the industry; and I see that there is a need for new technologies; I hope that we can contribute to the success of the local gas and oil industry."

Regarding the company's previous presence in Iran, he said, "so far we have successfully trained professionals for the Iranian oil industry; most of them in Iran's Kish Island."

"We hope we will progress with our negotiations for several projects in Iran, and with local companies to establish partnerships to support the local industry," Mr. Kratzer added.

Asked how optimistic he is about working in Iran, he said: "I am very optimistic about working in Iran. The feedback I'm getting is overwhelming. I have a very good feeling to achieve results, because the local community shows strong interest and willingness to cooperate with foreign companies and institutions.  I look forward and hope HOT will get the chance to work for and with the Iranian petroleum industry."

Regarding any potential feedback by the White House decision against Iran, he said: "We are an Austrian company 100% owned by Austrian and German nationals.  Currently this is not an issue but there is concern whether recent developments across the Atlantic will affect us. At the moment I am pragmatic and I hope that European politicians will stand against these developments. But there is no guarantee. It is very difficult for us Europeans to understand what’s going on and what’s going to happen on the other side of the Atlantic."

HOT is a leading E&P reservoir consultancy and knowledge transfer organization with headquarters in Austria, branch offices in Germany, UAE and Libya and a global network of representative offices.