TEHRAN/MOSCOW: Russian oil producer Gazprom Neft and National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) have agreed to conduct a study into the possible development of two oil fields in Iran, Russia’s Energy Ministry Alexander Novak said.
Iran, OPEC’s third largest oil producer, plans to launch next year a new-style contract for helping develop its oil and gas fields with invitations to tender to be the first since the lifting of sanctions.
Novak said Gazprom Neft, the oil producing unit of Gazprom, has signed a memorandum of understanding with NIOC and Gazprom Neft will now conduct a study for the Changouleh and Cheshmeh-Khosh oil fields in Western Iran. A deal on producing oil at the two fields could follow, the minister said.
He also said on Tuesday that Gazprom and Russia’s largest oil producer Rosneft have signed a separate memorandum with NIOC.
Gazprom Deputy CEO Alexander Medvedev said in Tehran that his company has been interested in joint liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects.
Russia, which has already signed several memorandums of understanding with Iran, has the largest share of Iran’s oil field development studies compared with other countries involved in oil exploration there, Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh was quoted as saying by ISNA news agency.
Zanganeh also said Iran would finalize another deal in the next two days to sell Russia 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Commenting on the recent OPEC deal to cut oil output, Zangeneh said: “The talks between the two countries’ leaders were essential and very significant in this matter.”
He said that oil prices were likely to settle at $50-$55 per barrel.
“No other country may have influence on Russia’s and Iran’s intention to develop ties,” Iranian Communications Minister Mahmoud Vaezi said at the talks with Russia’s Novak.
Gazprom Neft, Iran’s NIOC agree oil field studies
Gazprom Neft, Iran’s NIOC agree oil field studies
Saudi Arabia, Japan trade rises 38% between 2016 and 2024, minister says
RIYADH: Trade between Saudi Arabia and Japan has increased by 38 percent between 2016 and 2024 to reach SR138 billion ($36 billion), the Kingdom’s investment minister revealed.
Speaking at the Saudi-Japanese Ministerial Investment Forum 2026, Khalid Al-Falih explained that this makes the Asian country the Kingdom’s third-largest trading partner, according to Asharq Bloomberg.
This falls in line with the fact that Saudi Arabia has been a very important country for Japan from the viewpoint of its energy security, having been a stable supplier of crude oil for many years.
It also aligns well with how Japan is fully committed to supporting Vision 2030 by sharing its knowledge and advanced technologies.
“This trade is dominated by the Kingdom's exports of energy products, specifically oil, gas, and their derivatives. We certainly look forward to the Saudi private sector increasing trade with Japan, particularly in high-tech Japanese products,” Al-Falih said.
He added: “As for investment, Japanese investment in the Kingdom is good and strong, but we look forward to raising the level of Japanese investments in the Kingdom. Today, the Kingdom offers promising opportunities for Japanese companies in several fields, including the traditional sector that links the two economies: energy.”
The minister went on to note that additional sectors that both countries can also collaborate in include green and blue hydrogen, investments in advanced industries, health, food security, innovation, entrepreneurship, among others.
During his speech, Al-Falih shed light on how the Kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka achieved remarkable success, with the exhibition receiving more than 3 million visitors, reflecting the Japanese public’s interest in Saudi Arabia.
“The pavilion also organized approximately 700 new business events, several each day, including 88 major investment events led by the Ministry of Investment. Today, as we prepare for the upcoming Expo 2030, we look forward to building upon Japan’s achievements,” he said.
The minister added: “During our visit to Japan, we agreed to establish a partnership to transfer the remarkable Japanese experience from Expo Osaka 2025 to Expo Riyadh 2030. I am certain that the Japanese pavilion at Expo Riyadh will rival the Saudi pavilion at Expo Osaka in terms of organization, innovation, and visitor turnout.”
Al-Falih also shed light on how Saudi-Japanese relations celebrated their 70th anniversary last year, and today marks the 71st year of these relations as well as how they have flourished over the decades, moving from one strategic level to an even higher one.
