World's Energy

May 22, 2009 (UPI) - TEHRAN, Italian energy company Eni denied reports it was interested in a deal with Iran to develop the third phase of the Darkhovin gas field near the border with Iraq. Eni and Iran's Arvadan Oil and Gas Co., a division of National Iranian Oil Co., signed in 2001 a $550 million deal to develop the initial phase of Darkhovin. The first phase began operation in 2005, and second-phase development is under way. Iran's Press TV reported Eni officials told the Petroenergy Information Network, the official news agency of the Iranian Oil Ministry, the Italian company had submitted a feasibility study for the third-phase development. Press TV also reported earlier this week Eni was expected to sign a $1.5 billion deal to develop a third phase of the Darkhovin field. "Eni is currently active in the first two phases of Darkhovin and has voiced interest in developing the oil field's third phase with an investment of $1.5 billion," Press TV quoted the ministry's news agency as saying. Paolo Scaroni, the chief executive at Eni, denied it was moving forward with the investment, however. "That report is false," he said.