iranian interest in namibia, page-2

The recent pairing up of Namibia with Iran may extend further than cooperation between the two on a refinery in the southern African country. According to Namibian Mines and Energy Minister Isak Katali, the government would like Iran to participate in the development of its Kudu gas field.



“Iran holds the world's second largest gas reserves and has carried out giant projects in the upstream sector; therefore, Namibia remains hopeful that Iran can help it set up gas-sweetening plants in Kudu gas field," Mehr news agency quoted Katali as saying while touring Iran’s giant South Pars gas field during a visit to the country.

Katali said he believed his country could benefit from Iran’s experience in exploration activities.

Earlier it was reported that Iran wanted to participate in bringing a refinery to life in Namibia and that it would be opening an embassy in the country soon. One may wonder what brought about Iran’s newly found interest in this African country however, some say it is obvious, referring to the fact that Namibia is rich in uranium and Iran is ready to aid it on a number of projects to gain access to that uranium.

Last week Iran's Industry, Mines and Commerce Minister Mehdi Ghazanfari articulated that his country was ready to invest in uranium mining projects in Namibia. He added that his government was also ready to build a mining research center in Namibia.

How Iran’s participation in the Kudu gas project would come about was not revealed though in May it was reported that Gazprom was leaving the partnership which would effectively put a 54% stake in the project on the market. If Iran did participate in the project it could cause some problems for one of the partners, Tullow Oil, due to the Western world’s sanctions on Iran.

courtesy of petroluem africa


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