The reforms, promised since the 1990s but never followed up, were launched recently and may take weeks, possibly longer, to complete. The new organisational structure, basically involving a fresh reporting system, has to be approved by parliament.
Some changes and personnel departures have already been announced.
These affect Exploration Directorate head Mahmoud Mohadess, who has lost his seat on the NIOC board of governors but maintains his management post; legal affairs head Mostafa Zeinoddin, who has retired and been replaced by Payam Bathai, formerly legal affairs director at the Commerce Ministry; and the move of Central Iran Oil Fields Company (CIOFC) head Alireza Zeighami to the directorship of the National Iranian Oil Refining & Distribution Company.
