Iran: Hopes for natural gas production

The first sign that a lifting of sanctions on Iran would significantly boost gas exports came from China, whose companies are expected to build the estimated $2bn Pakistani side of a planned pipeline to carry Iranian gas to its long-anticipated South Asian client. Iran has completed most of the work on its territory, without seeing any prospect of exporting a molecule of gas. Indeed, such announcements have too often flattered to deceive. And even the Chinese have found Iran hard work: China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)’s development of the mighty South Pars gas field has stalled, with Tehran cancelling contracts following disputes over the Chinese partner’s performance.