China’s CNPC reportedly might take Total’s stake in Iranian South Pars investment if French pull out
Top Chinese oil and gas company CNPC is considering taking over the 50.1% stake held by French energy major Total in a multi-billion dollar deal to develop part of the giant South Pars gas field if the latter departs Iran to adhere to any new US sanctions, industry sources told Reuters on December 15.
In July, in what was seen as a breakthrough for Iran in attracting foreign investment since the dropping of crippling sanctions with the start of the nuclear deal 19 months previoulsy, Total agreed to put in an initial $1bn to develop South Pars Phase 11. The contract gave CNPC the option to take over Total’s stake if it pulled out, sources involved in the talks reportedly told the news service.
In signing the deal, Total became the first Western energy major to commit to an investment in the post-nuclear sanctions Islamic Republic. After the signing, it also held out the prospect of committing to big petrochemical projects in the country.
But with US President Donald Trump possibly set in January to introduce moves that could wreck the nuclear deal, Total has become anxious that its assets stateside could in the near future become exposed to sanctions should it continue with its investment in Iran.
CNPC has a 30% stake in the phase 11 project, while the Iranian national oil company’s subsidiary PetroPars holds the remaining 19.9%.
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