Member of Parliament: Another Oil Rig Purchased, But Not Entered Iran

Ten days after the Iranian Oil Minister's remarks about the "disappearance" of an oil rig purchased by the Marine Facilities Company during the previous administration, a member of parliament states that this company has purchased another rig, but it has not entered Iran. Hossein Dehdashti, a member of the Energy Commission of Parliament, said in an interview with the Farhikhtegan newspaper on Saturday, July 13, that the company "Iran Global," a subsidiary of the Marine Facilities Company, purchased an oil rig during the previous administration and brought it to "Dubai, but issues have arisen that have prevented them from bringing it into the country." According to Mr. Dehdashti, this rig is "practically worn out and old." He also described reports about the "disappearance" of four rigs purchased by Iran as "contradictory" and "ambiguous," stating that "this information is not accurate and cannot be relied upon." Bijan Zanganeh, the Iranian Oil Minister, confirmed on Tuesday, July 2, reports about the "disappearance" of an oil rig purchased from a foreign company during the previous administration and stated that a case has been opened regarding this matter following the ministry's "pursuit and complaint." Nader Qazipour, a representative from Urmia in Parliament, had reported in October 2014 that an oil rig named "Din" was purchased for $87 million from a Turkish company in 2011, but it was ultimately not delivered to Iran and is now being used in a "neighboring country." Subsequently, Iranian media reported that the "Din" company in Turkey was an intermediary that had purchased this rig from a Romanian company for the Marine Facilities Company of Iran. According to Mr. Qazipour, based on the contract, 20% of the price of this drilling rig was to be paid as an advance, and the remaining 80% was to be paid after the rig was delivered to the Turkish company. However, despite this, the Iranian side gradually paid the full price of the rig. Meanwhile, Nasser Seraaj, the head of the General Inspection Organization, stated on Tuesday, July 9, that "the individuals who incurred this expense have so far been unable to provide any evidence that this money was definitely delivered to the selling company." This comes as Ali Taheri, the former CEO of the Marine Facilities Company, who oversaw the purchase of this rig, stated in an interview with Tasnim News Agency the day before that part of the money was paid to the Romanian company and "the remainder is with the intermediary company, which has officially announced its receipt." Mr. Dehdashti also mentioned in his interview that the "Din" company was a "paper and fictitious" company registered in Turkey and that "some" of the individuals who registered this company were Iranian. This member of parliament also reported that with the entry of the Inspection Organization into this case last year, "several individuals" have been arrested. Fars News Agency reported on January 17, 2015, citing "informed sources" within the Marine Facilities Company, that several "corruption suspects" in this company have been detained.