Total Predicts Change in U.S. Sanctions Against Iran
February 3, 1998 - 0:0
LONDON - Total of France believes that its ground- breaking agreement to develop Iran's largest gas field last year will lead to a change in U.S. policy of unilateral sanctions. Chairman Thierry Desmarest told Petroleum Argus Monday that it was difficult to speak about whether the U.S. government wished that his firm did not exist, but said that the South Pars contract has launched much discussion in the U.S. about embargoes.
Even in the U.S. State Department there is no common agreement and a lot of talk about what to do, he said, adding that his belief was that minds will change about sanctions. His comments follow Desmarest being quoted at a press conference last week saying the French oil firm had won the battle with the U.S., Washington was quite perplexed and was unsure how to react, he said.
Total's Director of Middle East Affairs, Christophe de Margerie also told Petroleum Argus that before signing the South Pars deal, his company made sure we had support from both the French government and the EU. Regarding the threat of U.S. sanctions, he said Total had contact with the U.S. government from time to time, but as far as the visit by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State William Ramsay, we refused to discuss the Iran case.
De Margerie confirmed the French firm has a long-term development strategy in Iran but said it is too early to say if there will be further contracts signed this year following its investments in Sirri oil and South Pars gas fields. We do not yet know specifically what further projects will be and there still needs to be technical discussion, he said.
(IRNA)
Even in the U.S. State Department there is no common agreement and a lot of talk about what to do, he said, adding that his belief was that minds will change about sanctions. His comments follow Desmarest being quoted at a press conference last week saying the French oil firm had won the battle with the U.S., Washington was quite perplexed and was unsure how to react, he said.
Total's Director of Middle East Affairs, Christophe de Margerie also told Petroleum Argus that before signing the South Pars deal, his company made sure we had support from both the French government and the EU. Regarding the threat of U.S. sanctions, he said Total had contact with the U.S. government from time to time, but as far as the visit by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State William Ramsay, we refused to discuss the Iran case.
De Margerie confirmed the French firm has a long-term development strategy in Iran but said it is too early to say if there will be further contracts signed this year following its investments in Sirri oil and South Pars gas fields. We do not yet know specifically what further projects will be and there still needs to be technical discussion, he said.
(IRNA)