BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 22. Iran continues to export crude oil steadily and in appropriate volumes despite sanctions and external pressures, Hamid Bovard, Deputy Minister of Oil and CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), told reporters, Trend reports.
According to Bovard, the country has pulled out all the stops at the leadership level to diversify crude oil markets, making sure that exports keep rolling in without putting a dent in the economy.
He threw cold water on the claims making the rounds on social media about Iran’s crude oil exports, saying they’re unfounded.
“Iran’s oil sector is fully utilizing its capacities to maintain oil exports despite restrictions and support the Iranian economy,” Bovard noted.
To note, the latest report from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) shows that Iran’s crude oil production in August 2025 reached 3.21 million barrels per day, marking a 27 percent decline compared to July.
Currently, Iran has 74 active oil fields and 22 gas fields. Of these, 37 are operated by the National Iranian South Oil Company, 14 by the Iranian Central Oil Fields Company, 5 by the Arvandan Oil and Gas Production Company, and 18 by the Iranian Offshore Oil Company. As for gas, 5 fields are located in the territory of the National Iranian South Oil Company, 13 in the Iranian Central Oil Fields Company, 1 in the Pars Oil and Gas Company, and 3 in the Iranian Offshore Oil Company.
Iran’s total hydrocarbon reserves are estimated at 1.2 trillion barrels. With existing equipment and technology, about 340 billion barrels can be extracted, meaning that only around 30 percent of reserves are recoverable, while the remaining 70 percent remains untapped underground.
The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) operates as a sovereign entity, wielding unilateral authority over the entirety of Iran's hydrocarbon sector. It is tasked with the comprehensive management of upstream and downstream activities, encompassing the exploration, extraction, logistics, and international trade of petroleum and natural gas resources. This entity ranks among the globe's preeminent hydrocarbon conglomerates, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Petroleum. It engages in multifaceted operations through a plethora of subsidiaries that span the entire value chain, encompassing entities such as Pars Oil and Gas Co. and the National Iranian South Oil Company.
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