The Islamic Republic of Iran’s oil ministry was established in 1979. The purpose of forming the oil ministry was to implement the major policies of the Islamic Republic in the oil and gas sectors including producing, developing, planning, and supervising all operations in both upstream and downstream oil industry.
In order to meet all these purposes, the ministry has been divided into four main national companies:
- The National Iranian Oil Company
-The National Iranian Gas Company
-The National Iranian Petrochemical Company
-The National Iranian Oil refining and Distribution Company and some minor units.
Currently, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s oil ministry has an active and effective presence through expanding its goals and activities around the country.
The ministry, while supplying energy and providing foreign currency revenues for the country, creates industrial and energy hubs, which are prerequisites for developing other industries, creating job opportunities and helping the Iranian economy to flourish.
The ministry also plays an essential role in Iran’s international interactions and energy diplomacy and enjoys a unique status among oil producers and gas exporters in the OPEC and GECF.