Iran Closes Oil Wells in Flood-hit Khuzestan amid Drop in Output

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of flooding in Khuzestan province, Iran, April 5, 2019. Mehdi Pedramkhoo/Tasnim News Agency/via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of flooding in Khuzestan province, Iran, April 5, 2019. Mehdi Pedramkhoo/Tasnim News Agency/via REUTERS
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Iran Closes Oil Wells in Flood-hit Khuzestan amid Drop in Output

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of flooding in Khuzestan province, Iran, April 5, 2019. Mehdi Pedramkhoo/Tasnim News Agency/via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of flooding in Khuzestan province, Iran, April 5, 2019. Mehdi Pedramkhoo/Tasnim News Agency/via REUTERS

Iran has shut around a dozen oil wells in the southwestern Khuzestan province because of massive floods, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Wednesday, leading to a drop of up to 20,000 barrels per day in crude production.

Iran's worst flooding in 70 years, which started on March 19, has killed at least 76 people, forced more than 220,000 into emergency shelters and caused an estimated $2.5 billion in damage to roads, bridges, homes and farmland, Reuters reported.

"There are no oil leaks at the Hoor al-Azim wetland area. We have closed 10 to 12 oil wells there as a precautionary measure to prevent any environmental damages," Reuters quoted Touraj Dehghani, the head of Iran's Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC), as telling the media.

"The oil production of the field has dropped between 15,000 to 20,000 barrels per day."

Iranian media on Friday reported oil output had been reduced in Khuzestan, home to the Azadegan and Yadavaran oilfields.

Iranian authorities have said the floods have not affected crude exports.

The United States reimposed sanctions on Iran in November after pulling out of a 2015 nuclear accord between Tehran and six world powers. The sanctions have already halved Iranian oil exports.

US President Donald Trump eventually aims to halt Iranian oil exports, choking off Tehran's main source of revenue.

Washington is pressuring Iran to curtail its nuclear program and stop backing militant groups across the Middle East.



Saudi Arabia Joins International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy

Officials from the Saudi Energy Ministry after the official announcement of joining the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (Saudi Energy Ministry)
Officials from the Saudi Energy Ministry after the official announcement of joining the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (Saudi Energy Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia Joins International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy

Officials from the Saudi Energy Ministry after the official announcement of joining the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (Saudi Energy Ministry)
Officials from the Saudi Energy Ministry after the official announcement of joining the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (Saudi Energy Ministry)

The Saudi Energy Ministry announced Saturday that the Kingdom has officially joined the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), as part of its ongoing efforts to foster international collaboration in developing this vital sector.
This accession marks a major step for the Kingdom, reinforcing its pioneering role in global sustainability efforts and in innovating advanced solutions for clean energy, the Ministry said in a statement.
It aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a key producer and exporter of clean hydrogen, and to achieve greenhouse gases (GHGs) net-zero through the circular carbon economy approach by 2060, or before depending on technology maturity and availability, the statement added.
Saudi Arabia’s involvement in IPHE underscores its commitment to international cooperation as a cornerstone for attaining a more sustainable energy future.
The move also supports the objectives of the “Saudi Green Initiative” and “Middle East Green Initiative,” which focus on reducing carbon emissions and stimulating global demand for clean hydrogen, according to the statement.
"It also aims to contribute to the development and harmonization of regulations and standards that bolster the clean hydrogen economy,” it added.
IPHE serves as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration among member states to expedite the advancement and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
The partnership is dedicated to exchanging knowledge, supporting relevant research and technologies, and raising awareness about the importance of clean hydrogen in achieving sustainable development.
In this spirit, Saudi Arabia actively participates in numerous international organizations and initiatives linked to the production of clean and low-emission fuels, including the Innovation Mission Initiative, the Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting, the Zero Neutrality Forum for Producers, the Global Methane Initiative, and other related efforts.