increased from 6 ml/d in 2012 to 44 ml/d now,” he added.Zangeneh said the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), provided golden chances for Iran to carry out major projects.The minister also said that an export terminal would be built in Jask Port, adding: “We hope that this export terminal would be operational by March 2021 so that Iran’s oil would be exported for the first time via Makran.”Enhanced Recovery from Joint FieldsIran’s petroleum minister also referred to a five-fold increase in production from joint fields in the West Karoun area. He added that production from these fields would increase from 70,000 b/d in 2013 to 355,000 b/d in 2018.“Today, oil is on the frontline of war against the enemy’s sanctions and we cannot reveal our methods and plans, facts and figures. That exerts pressure on my colleagues and me, but we have no option but to stand and go ahead. We go ahead with our work in different sectors without any fuss,” said Zangeneh.US Disturbing Oil MarketOne day before the inauguration of SP13 and SP22-24 projects, Zangeneh held a press conference to mark the anniversary of nationalization of Iran’s petroleum industry.Asked about the possibility of US extending waivers to buyers of Iran’s oil, he said: “I don’t know whether or not the waivers for Iran’s oil exports would be extended, but we do our own job.”“Every day the Americans say something new. Of course I recommend them to talk less. The Americans have disturbed the oil market for one year now. They regularly change their mind. But we have proven that we are peaceful and peace-loving people. They flex muscles and that would backfire on them,” the minister said. He dismissed speculation that in case of no sanctions waiver, Iran would no longer be able to export oil.JMMC IneffectiveZangeneh also said OPEC/non-OPEC Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) was not as effective as it claims to be. “OPEC has the final say and nobody else is authorized to speak for OPEC,” said the minister. Zangeneh said: “OPEC is a collective entity and it implements whatever ministers agree upon in their meetings.” He, however, said that every single OPEC member was free to respond individually to any tweet from US President Donald Trump about the oil market. Gas Exports UnaffectedZangeneh said the US’s decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran after its withdrawal from the JCPOA had not affected the country’s gas exports. He said that Iran had offered to pump gas to Syria via Iraq. “The Iraqis have always been on our side, but I don’t know to what extent the talks have made progress. I did not accompany Mr. Rouhani during his recent visit to Iraq.”Asked about Iran’s gas exports to Oman, he said international companies refused to bid for the pipeline project due to sanctions and the Omanis were not ready either. “The project’s value is not too much and we can provide finance, but we do not have the technology to lay pipes in deep waters,” said the minister.Iran-Pakistan Gas Deal ValidZangeneh said Iran had fully complied with its obligations under its gas pipeline agreement with Pakistan. But, he said, Pakistan has taken no action for the construction of the gas pipeline. “They raise politically-motivated claims, saying they are under pressure from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the US. But in any case, the agreement for this pipeline is valid, whose terms have to be respected,” he said. He added: “We regularly follow up on the issue from political and diplomatic channels, but we have yet to pursue the issue legally.” Zangeneh said Pakistan could not find any case which would cost lower than Iran’s. “We are ready to supply gas to them either directly or indirectly,” he added.SP11 Talks Under WayZangeneh said talks were still under way with China’s oil company CNPC to replace France’s giant Total in the SP11 development project. “Negotiations with the Chinese are under way and a high-ranking Chinese delegation is expected to visit Iran,” he added. Total pulled out of the nearly $5 billion project for fear of US penalties after Washington reimposed oil sanctions on Iran.Zangeneh said a foreign company involved in the development of the South Pars Oil Layer had also left Iran due to the US sanctions. “The oil layer development requires sophisticated technology and we need to seek assistance from experienced companies,” he added. The minister said Iranians would not be the only people to face hardships due to sanctions “because these hardships will affect the world, too.