Iran 'seeks foreign help after platform accident'

Crane accident: International help sought at South Pars gas project

AP/VAHID SALEMI

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Bill Lehane ,

News Wires

 30 January 2013 16:36 GMT

Iran has sought foreign help to recover a $40 million gas platform that has fallen to the Gulf seabed, its Mehr news agency reported, in a rare request by an industry isolated by sanctions.

The South Pars project has been hampered by a withdrawal of international energy companies, under pressure from US and European governments, and difficulties in acquiring technology due to sanctions on trade.

In the incident, the platform's metal support jacket plunged 80 metres below the surface after a crane broke during installation.

Upstream understands the accident occurred at Phase 13 of the offshore project.

The structure, one of four planned for South Pars, weighs more than 1000 tonnes.

The companies involved, state-run service company Sadra and a National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) subsidiary, have asked for…

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