TEHRAN, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Iran has signed a number of basic agreements with the Russian Gazprom to develop its gas fields in the southern region of the country, Press TV reported on Wednesday.
Iran's Petroleum Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said that the country has signed an agreement with Gazprom over the development of Farzad B gas field, a project which the country has for long been negotiating with an Indian consortium.
Iran has also signed two other basic agreements with Gazprom over the development of North Pars and Kish gas fields.
The agreements could give Gazprom a strong foothold in Iran's gas industry once finalized and implemented.
Besides, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) announced Sunday that it would hold an international tender for the development of major oil field in southwest of the country.
By Friday, the tender would be held for the much-awaited development project of Azadegan oil field in the southwestern province of Khouzestan, Ali Kardor, the managing director of the NIOC, said.
Invitation letters have been sent to 29 international companies to submit their proposals, Kardor said, adding that the Shell, Total, CNPC, Sinioc, Lukoil, Pertamina, and OMV are among the companies to attend the tender.
