Iran contains some of the largest and most attractive petroleum resources in the world, so any easing of sanctions could have a major impact on oil and gas markets in the second half of the decade.
Iran's possible re-emergence as a major exporter would force a re-ordering of the world oil market both because of the country’s location on the cost-curve and the quality of its oil.
Iran’s proved oil reserves of 160 billion barrels, almost 10 percent of the world total, rank it fourth after Venezuela (300 billion barrels), Saudi Arabia (265 billion barrels) and Canada (175 billion barrels), according to BP.
The country also has the world’s largest proved gas reserves of almost 34 trillion cubic meters (18 percent of the global total), putting it ahead of Russia (17 percent) and Qatar (13 percent).
Iran's petroleum resources are contained in large, conventional reservoirs with excellent geological properties that make them highly productive at a relatively low cost.
Oil has been produced in Iran in commercial quantities since 1908, making it one of the world’s oldest producers.
Production peaked at more than 6 million barrels per day (bpd) in 1974 and although revolution, war and sanctions have been disruptive, it was still producing 4.2 million bpd as recently as 2008.
Sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union in response to concerns about Iran’s nuclear program have cut production by around 1 million bpd to 3.4 million since 2012.
Iran consumes almost 2 million barrels a day of crude and refined products - which leaves between 1 million and 1.5 million bpd for export, down from 2.5 million before sanctions were imposed.
If sanctions were eased or lifted as a result of a deal between Iran and world powers, production and exports could rise by between 600,000 and 1 million bpd within a 12-month timeframe.
In the medium term, output could rise by 2 million or even 3 million bpd, depending on prices and the country’s ability to attract investment, source equipment and partner with international majors and service companies.
The first phase of Iran’s return to global oil markets is most likely to occur in 2016 and 2017, with larger increases in production and exports unlikely to occur before 2018 or 2020.
The prospect of higher exports may already be weighing on global oil markets, among other factors, with the back end of the futures curve slipping in recent months.
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