Perspectives over construction of oil refinery in RA are real and hopeful

PanARMENIAN.Net - Information on oil refinery factory project in Meghri is raised on the highest level after the meeting of Armenian and Russian Presidents, which undoubtedly, increases chances of success significantly. The main question is if Iran himself will give its agreement to export oil to neighboring Armenia, and then to by from Armenia ready production, said the PanARMENIAN.Net journalist expert of 'Kavkaz' analytical center Victor Yakubian.



"Several factors can serve as proofs that such a project is profitable for Tehran. First, today the Iranian side willingly agrees to participate in any international project, which significantly decreases Washington's active efforts to isolate Iran. From the other hand, Tehran realizes that United States' and Israel's intentions to destroy its nuclear and large energetic and industrial assets can very quickly become a reality, but an oil refinery in Meghri will not have such a destiny," he underlined.



Yakubian stressed that during high level Russian-Iranian meetings the main subject of discussions is perspectives of Russian "Gazprom" holding's participation in exploration, extraction and transportation of Iranian gas, particularly from South Pars main field. The other subject of discussions is the activity of "Lukoil Overseas" in Iran, which is subsidiary of "Lukoil". Russian sources inform that "Lukoil Overseas" already is on the stage to sign a contract on exploration, extraction and transportation oil from Iranian main field of "Anaran". "The company has conducted exploration works and confirmed efficiency of extracting oil from that field. Most probably Russian companies may carry out exploration and then extraction in 17 Iranian main fields in future. If nevertheless, Russian companies begin to extract and transport Iranian oil, then just Armenia will become the most suitable place for refinery, since today few dare invest in Iran. And for the Russian side to build a refinery in Turkey or Azerbaijan is just dangerous from geopolitical point of view," Yakubian thinks.



In his words, in the framework of the project Armenian and Russian high level officials also touched upon plans to construct an Iran-Armenia railway. The Armenian expert is sure that without perspectives to build a railway out, a well-loaded railway from Armenia, there would be no interest from Russian Railway Company to construct a new branch line. "Generally, perspectives to build a refinery in Meghri are real and hopeful, but the mechanisms of realization are extremely laborious," Victor Yakubian told.