iranmania.com: "Shell blames problems for delay": ILNA: “…Iran will fine the oil giant Shell for the delay in implementing projects to develop Soroush and Norouz oilfields.” (ShellNews.net) Posted 27 Jan 05
LONDON, Jan 26 (IranMania) - The country director of the oil giant Royal/Dutch Shell said on Tuesday that the company has managed to resolve problems which delayed the implementation of the development project for Soroush and Norouz oilfields, adding, however, that it is difficult to tell when the project would become operational.
Robert Weener said these problems were related to the construction and installation of the required equipment.
According to ILNA, the Shell country director told reporters that the company would hand over the project to National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) immediately after it reaches the 190,000 barrels per day production of crude on a trial basis.
He forecast that the project would take several months to be completed.
Experts say some 20-30% of the buy-back deals are implemented with delay.
Seyyed Mehdi Mir-Moezzi, managing director of NIOC, told ILNA earlier that the company would refuse to pay a portion of money mentioned in the contract as penalty if contractors fail to keep the time schedule.
He said Iran will fine the oil giant Shell for the delay in implementing projects to develop Soroush and Norouz oilfields.
Iran said in November it will continue to conclude oil and gas deals in the buyback mode during the fourth development plan (2005-2010).