TEHRAN – Oil is Irans driving force as the country earns hundreds of billions of dollars from the black gold annually. The oil sector is in close cooperation with other industrial sectors including transportation and a remarkable distribution of revenues can take place. But the oil sector faces certain challenges with the next years budget bill being the most important one.
A number of analysts predict that oil prices would not fall below 50 dollars in the light of developments in the world and upheavals in the Persian Gulf littoral states. But this price band cannot lay the foundation for Iran to draw up its annual budget. Irans oil managers are bracing for the next meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) – the body which would decide on oil quotas and prices. Up to that time, Iranian managers have to specify their policy.
Certain observers have expressed concern over recent remarks by Irans Petroleum Minister Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh regarding the fact that OPEC should mull over production cut. They are now waiting for Irans practical action.
But Irans Ministry of Petroleum has to face national challenges like the trial of Oriental Kish employees for bribery. The ministry should also settle a fuel crisis in the coming months.
By naming petrochemical veteran Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh head of the National Iranian Oil Distribution and Refining Company, the petroleum minister is firmly determined to construct more refineries in the country. Certain oil analysts say the construction of refineries is economically justified in view of growing energy prices. Deputy Petroleum Minister Hadi Nejad Hosseinian has proven a brilliant performance in the oil sector and that is why he has been awarded a new post. A proposed Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline is under way although certain officials claimed that the country should not export gas. But in the light of Russia-Ukraine gas dispute, they are thinking twice.
Jahan-e Sanat, Wednesday, January 4, 2006
کد خبر 76592