Eni SpA (E), Italy's biggest energy company by market value, hasn't had
any contacts with Iran over tapping into the hydrocarbon-rich country following
the recent interim accord between the Islamic republic and key world powers to
freeze Teheran's nuclear program, said Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni Thursday.
"So far, so good regarding
Iran
,"
said Mr. Scaroni on the sidelines of a joint conference with the International
Energy Agency in
Rome
. "We
haven't had any contacts."
The
U.S.
and
five other world powers struck a historic accord with
Iran
on
Sunday, agreeing to ease part of an economic stranglehold in exchange for steps
to cap
Tehran
's
nuclear program and ensure the Islamist government doesn't rush to develop
atomic weapons.
Iran
's oil
reserves are among the world's largest, though its exports have dropped off as
the
U.S.
and
Europe
tightened sanctions.
Iran
exported 1.5 million barrels a day in 2012, down from 2.5 million barrels a day
in 2011, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Earlier this year, Eni said its activities in
Iran
may
face
U.S.
sanctions against investments in the Islamic republic, and they could be
material.
The Italian company has operated in
Iran
for
several years as part of four service contracts: South Pars, Darquain, Dorood
and Balal. All the
projects have been completed.