Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 21/ Trend M. Moezzi
Iran's joint South Pars gas and oil field has become the frontline in the economic war between Iran and the West, Pana news agency quoted an oil official as saying.
The U.S. has recently asked European and Asian manufacturers to stop providing Iran with materials it needs to develop the South Pars field, Mousa Souri, the head of the South Pars Gas Company, said.
Despite the U.S. efforts, Iran has broken its own production records in the South Pars field, Mr. Souri said.
Meanwhile Qatar, which shares South Pars with Iran, has been trying to lure away Iranian experts with promises of million-dollar salaries, homes and cars. It is offering $12,000 a month as a salary to Iran's petrochemical experts who have 10-15 year-experience, compared to their monthly salaries ranging $1,500-$2,000.
As it moves toward the operating phase of new petrochemical projects, including the world's biggest gas to liquids (GTL) unit, Qatar is looking for experienced personnel. The quickest and most efficient solution is to lure Iranian experts with huge salary offers and benefits.
Iran and Qatar share the 9,700 square kilometer South Pars gas and oil field. Qatar, however, is far ahead of Iran in exploiting the field's resources. It currently produces 400,000 barrels a day of crude oil.
The Persian Gulf country began working on South Pars ten years before Iran and has intensified developing the field while Iran is suffering international sanctions and technical and financial obstacles.