Majles Energy Commission spokesperson Emad Hosseini said the Ministry of Petroleum will be authorised under the new Petroleum Act
to award oil and gas projects to contractors without tender formalities.
Hosseini
said the Ministry will have to award the projects based on the capabilities and
qualifications of the contractors.
This new policy seems to have been devised as a result of sanctions that have
effectively prevented international players from approaching Iranian energy
projects.
It is not known whether Iranian contractors have the expertise to handle
projects on their own. They may possess the basic knowledge to take care of
tasks such
as site preparation and the design of platform topsides, but they will need to
involve foreign technology partners in some project aspects.
There is also no doubt that the new approach will pave the way for corruption in
project awards.
For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.
© 2011 Menas Associates