Tehran, Beijing commence new round of oil talks

Iran’s Deputy Oil Minister Alireza Zeighami said that new rounds of talks have started between Iran and China. Zeighami said that Chinese firms have proclaimed their readiness to partake in gasoline production projects in Iran and received some offers for financing oil refineries in the country. Chinese companies are currently cooperating in the Shazand refinery in Arak and arrangements are being made for them to participate in other oil refining projects throughout the country, Zeighami said. Chinese companies are greatly expanding their presence in Iran’s oil refinery sector, embarking on a construction spree that would increase Iran’s refinery output. (July 21, 2010)