Congress has sought to enhance U.S. energy sanctions on Iran to include
gasoline exports. The current Iran Sanctions Act, which has never been
implemented, was meant to penalize companies that invest more than $20
million each in any year in Iran's energy sector.
"Clearly, we need to take a tougher stance against companies tied to
Iran's refined petroleum capacity," Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York
Democrat, said.
"Companies whose profits fuel Iran's nuclear ambitions
should not be allowed to do business with the U.S. or benefit from the U.S.
economy — period."
CNPC has been involved in at least three oil and natural gas fields.
GAO, in a report titled "Firms Reported in Open Sources as Having Commercial
Activity in Iran's Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Sectors," cited
Masjed-i-Suleiman oil field, North Azadegan oil field and a liquefied
natural gas project in South Pars phase 11.
GAO cited 41 foreign companies that have helped Iran develop its energy
sector since 2004. No American firms were listed in the report.
"According to the open source information, the firms provide technical
expertise, equipment, or funding that enables Iran to increase the
productive capacity and profitability of its oil, gas, and petrochemical
sectors," GAO said.
The report, released on April 22, said Iran has been revising foreign
investment priorities in oil exploration and development at the expense of
downstream sectors. GAO said Iran has sought technological assistance to
increase the level of oil production in declining fields.
"Iran requires increasingly modern and advanced enhanced oil recovery
technologies in order to stop natural declines of oil production, but has
found advanced technology difficult to import due to international sanctions
and high costs," the report said.
The report, requested by Sen. Joseph Lieberman and Sen. Jon Kyl, cited
14 companies as being involved in exploration and production of Iranian
crude oil resources. Another four firms were dealing with expanding refining
capacity, 23 firms were developing natural gas resources, four firms were
engaged in the production of petrochemicals, and four companies were
contracted in the area of oil and gas pipelines and tankers.
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