Shell to build up partnership and strengthen mutual friendship with Iran
Shell does not only want to be a long-term business partner in Iran, but also aims to be the "preferred partner for the National Iranian Oil Company," the CEO of Shell Development Iran said, the official IRNA agency reported. "Shell in Iran wants to become an international company with an Iranian heart and mind, truly Iranian," Robert Weener said. Although this may be "little far-fetched," his company was making striking progress in building up a local workforce, he said.
Last November, Shell signed a $ 800 mm agreement for the joint development of Nowrooz and Soroush offshore fields. It
is also involved in three major energy studies in Iran and sees many other excellent opportunities.
Regarding Nowrooz and Soroush, Weener said the project was going well and was "within budget and on schedule." Plans
also indicate that the " target of 30 % Iranian content can be reached and will hopefully be exceeded," he added.
Shell, he said, had also allocated $ 8 mm for the training of NIOC staff as partof the project. This should build up
the partnership and strengthen mutual understanding and friendship.
The CEO of Shell Development Iran was speaking at a three-day conference in London on Iran's oil, gas and
petrochemicals industry. He spoke optimistically about the "excellent opportunities" in Iran, saying there was an
"obvious fit" with Shell bringing relatively large amounts of capital, management and technological expertise and
Iran large amounts of resources and educated workers.