Iran urges China to finish South Pars project's phase

Iran's Oil Ministry has asked Chinese CNPC to develop phase 11 of the giant South Pars gas field in a 35-month period with a warning that otherwise, domestic or foreign contractors could replace it, Press TV reports.

The issue was raised at a meeting between Iran's Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi, Managing Director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Ahmad Qale'bani and top managers of the Chinese company in Tehran on Tuesday.

The development plans of the South Pars' phases are underway in the form of 35-month contracts. Qasemi said, “CNPC lags behind the schedule to develop phase 11 of the shared South Pars gas field.”

The minister underlined that in case the Chinese company continue to delay, the project will be assigned to either domestic or foreign investors.