Iran's energy sector review

After two gas export contracts with Iraq to sell daily 45 million cubic meters (mcmpd) of natural gas, Tehran sealed a deal with Muscat to export 30 mcmpd of natural gas on March 12. It's expected the deal be implemented in three years. Iran holds 18 percent of global gas reserves, amounted at 33.6 tcm and produces 575 mcmpd of gas, approximately equals with domestic consumption level. However, the country is also expected to launch five phases of giant South Pars with 180 mcmpd of gas production capacity until 2017. The current production level of South Pars is about 300 mcmpd of gross gas, which of above 200 mcmpd is refined. Phases Production capacity development Implementation date Phase 12 81 mcmpd 92% completed until January 2014 2014 or 2015 Phase 15 and 16 50 mcmpd gas 92% completed until January 2014 2015 or 2016 Phase 17 and 18 50 mcmpd 82% completed until January 2014 2016 or 2017 During Iranian President Hassan Rouhan

Iran Custom Administration's reports indicate dropping condensate exports in 2013 by 13 percent. The International Energy Agency's latest reports indicates that Iran exported about 1.07 million barrels of crude oil and condensate during 2013. Iran's daily crude oil and condensate exports during 2013 decreased by 450,000 barrels compared to 2012. Iran exported about 8.42 million tons of condensate during December 19, 2012 to December 20, 2013, custom's data states. Gregorian year Statistics indicates that during December 20, 2012 to March 19, 2013, Iran's total condensate exports stood at 1.288 MT, indicating a 50 percent drop compared to the same period in the previous year, but the country's condensate exports experienced a huge soar during three latest months of 2013. Condensate export based on Custom reports: From December 20, 2012 to March 19, 2013 stands at 1.228 MT From March 20, 2013 to October 21, 2013 stands at 3.926 MT From O

Before diving in depth of the Iran-Six powers nuclear negotiations to achieve the final accord, it seems that EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is testing the water during her visit to Iran by meeting with the country's several powerful wings, including Iranian hard-liners. This is the first visit of a senior EU leader to Iran after six years (2008), but with new hopes and different atmosphere than during the former President Mahmoud Ahmadinead's presidency. Alongside visiting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Ashton has had a couple of meetings with Iran's former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, the top politic advisor of Supreme Leader Ali Akbar Velayati, the Secretary of Iran Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, as well as Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani Mrs.Ashton's spokesman Michael Mann, who accompanied the European delegation that flew to Tehran on March 8, told the BBC Persian service