USA disapproves of Belarus-Iran energy cooperation

The USA disapproves of the cooperation between Belarus and Iran in the energy scope, assistant of USA Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Mattew Bryza told BelaPAN. Commenting on the plans of Belarus on diversification of energy supplies, including oil field Jofeir in Iran, M.Bryza remarked: “We disapprove of such cooperation with Iran as the position of the USA on this country is clear and it is based on the resolutions of the UN Security Council. On the other hand, that is the way Iran ensures diversification of oil supplies for Belarus.”

M.Bryza emphasized, the USA realizes that Russian energy suppliers in Belarus and other Eastern European countries “exercise pressure in order to gain more control over strategic energy objects.” At the same time he emphasized that the Russian gas price in 2008 is a matter of bilateral relations of Belarus and Russia. “Both parts must do their utmost to settle the issue,” Matthew Bryza said and added he hoped the gas price talks “will be absolutely transparent.”

The service contract on mutual research for the oil field Jofeir was signed on 5 September 2007 between Belarus and Iran. The research plan was worked out by the experts of Belarusneft Company who expect to use investments of the Vietnamese state oil and gas company Petrovietnam.

Two oil wells have been bored on the oil field, with two oil derricks installed. Experts of Belarusneft and Iranian national oil company deal now with boring oil-bearing stratums and carrying out geological research of new layers.

Apart from oil mining in Jofeir, Belarus has claimed it is ready to construct an oil-refining plant in Iran in order to help the country to eliminate petrol shortage.