SHANA - Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh announce Total's takeover of Maersk's oil division, saying development of the oil layer of South Pars gas field will not be easily assigned to Total.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an oil industry event in Tehran on Saturday evening, the official outlined the outcome of his recent visit to India with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, and said, "During the visit, we held talks with the Indians on production of oil and development of Farzad B gas field which progressed well. We agreed on general principles and, God willing, a consensus will be reached regarding the details."

Asked about the fate of oil production project from the oil layer of South Pars gas field, which Iran shares with Qatar in Persian Gulf waters, the official said, "Assigning Total with the project would not be easy as the company has now taken over the oil division of Maersk. "

Mr. Zangeneh also said that launch of an oil transit project between Iran and Iraq has not been put off.

Asked about construction of the second section of TAPI pipeline project, he said: "Let's discuss the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline project once it is implemented."

In December, the managing director of Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC) said his company is planning to sign a deal with Denmark's Maersk for developing South Pars gas field's oil layer (SPOL).

Mohammad Meshkinfam said several companies are in talks with POGC for developing SPOL but the talks with Maersk have made good progress and a contract will be signed with the company in the coming months.

"We predict that the second deal for developing SPOL will be signed with Maersk under the newly-devised model of oil contracts," he said.