Farhad Shahroki, representative of the people of Sistan and Vice Chairman of the Energy Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, emphasized the need to choose a minister with expertise and operational experience for the Ministry of Oil in a letter to the President. He regarded this selection as a strategic decision in terms of national security, economic stability, and the preservation of the intergenerational wealth of the Iranian nation.
Challenges of the Oil Industry and the Need for Specialized Managers
Shahroki pointed out the structural, technical, economic, and international challenges facing the country's oil industry, noting that this decision will have profound impacts on the future of energy production, foreign revenues, and the economic power of the country. He emphasized that the Minister of Oil should be selected from among distinguished, honest, and transformative managers with effective experience in the specialized body of the oil industry.
The Necessity of Deep Understanding of the Oil Industry
The Ministry of Oil, as the custodian of a complex chain of exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbon reservoirs, refining, processing, transportation, and distribution of products, and international energy trade, requires a manager who, in addition to managerial authority, has mastery over reservoir engineering, energy economics, oil law and contracts, and crisis management. Shahroki stated: "Decision-making in this industry must be based on deep understanding and direct experience, as these decisions can affect the recovery factor of reservoirs and the sustainability of production in the coming decades."
He also referred to the importance of preserving production from oil fields and developing shared fields, saying: "Issues such as compensating for the pressure drop in gas reservoirs, especially South Pars, and addressing the imbalance of gas and oil products require a manager with a deep understanding of the industry."
Shahroki called for the selection of deserving and experienced managers in the process of introducing the Minister of Oil and emphasized that this choice should be based on performance records, professional qualifications, and the ability to present scientific and operational programs. This approach will send a clear message of the government's commitment to meritocracy and prioritizing national interests over short-term expediencies.
Expectations from the Future Minister of Oil
He concluded by noting that the future Minister of Oil should, in addition to effective experience at operational levels, possess financial and administrative integrity, professional independence, decision-making power, and the ability for international interaction. Furthermore, the selection of the minister should be such that it does not lead to the reproduction of closed management circles and emphasizes merit-based selection.
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