Talk:Petroleum industry in Iran/GA1

GA Review
The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.''

Reviewer: Pyrotec (talk) 22:36, 11 November 2010 (UTC)
 * I will review. Pyrotec (talk) 22:36, 11 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Sorry for the slow progress so far. I'm now actively reviewing this article. Pyrotec (talk) 08:11, 18 November 2010 (UTC)

Initial comments
After a quick read through, this looks to be a reason well-referenced article. I will now start a more detailed review going through section by section, but leaving the WP:Lead until last. At this point I will be mostly concentration on problems, so if a don't have much to say here on a particular section that means that it is OK. Pyrotec (talk) 08:27, 18 November 2010 (UTC)


 * History -
 * A couple of minor points need some clarification:
 * ✅ Pyrotec (talk) 08:37, 26 November 2010 (UTC) - It would be helpful to state who gave William D’Arcy the concession, e.g. Iran, the British, etc, ?
 * It not clear in the third paragraph what "10.4 percent of total oil production" means, presumably that is "10.4 percent of total Iraninan oil production"? If so, presumably domestic companies were producing almost 90% of the production.
 * ✅ Pyrotec (talk) 20:33, 23 November 2010 (UTC) - Since it is claimed in the second paragraph that the British and U.S. intelligence led the 1953 coup d’état, a citation should be provided in accordance with Verifiability.
 * ✅ Pyrotec (talk) 20:33, 23 November 2010 (UTC) - Ref 4 which is used 16 times in the article is quoted as a raw web link. It appears to be a published book or report, which also happens to be available on the web. It should be properly cited, using for example the template cite book giving the title, the date of publication, the (two) author's names, the publisher and the isbn. (But see also below).
 * ✅ Pyrotec (talk) 08:37, 26 November 2010 (UTC) - Ref 4 is used 16 times and is a 304 page document; and is not therefore being used in compliance with Verifiability, as no page numbers are quoted. I suggest that this reference is, firstly, moved into a Bibliography or Source section; and if necessary broken down into a number of citations. If, for example, there are several citations to pages 10-12 and 101-106 the references Curtis and Hoogland (2008), pages 10-12 and Curtis and Hoogland (2008), pages 10-12 could be used, for example, to call up these citations.
 * ✅ Pyrotec (talk) 20:33, 23 November 2010 (UTC) - It states in the final (fourth) paragraph that "Prior to 1998, Iran did not sign any oil agreements with foreign oil companies". Is that strictly true, or is a rework needed, since it appears that agreements were made in the 1950s?


 * Oil production and reserves -
 * The term "bpd" should be defined.
 * ✅ Pyrotec (talk) 20:10, 30 November 2010 (UTC) - Ref 6 is an undefined raw web link, which is also flagged as a dead link; so the statements "verified" by this citation are not verifiable
 * ✅ Pyrotec (talk) 20:36, 23 November 2010 (UTC) - The final paragraph is unreferenced, a cite should be added.

...to be continued. Pyrotec (talk) 08:57, 18 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Oil refining and consumption & Trade in oil and oil products -
 * ✅ Pyrotec (talk) 20:49, 23 November 2010 (UTC) - The main problem is lack of verifiability, i.e. no page numbers, in calls to reference 4.

...to be continued. Pyrotec (talk) 09:58, 20 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Natural gas -
 * ✅ Pyrotec (talk) 08:59, 26 November 2010 (UTC) - I've expanded the previous raw web link provided to full citation; however ref 12 does not confirm the claim .... for ... proven natural gas reserves ... "an amount second only to those of Russia.[12]" Iran appears, from 12, to be third in the list of proved Oil reserves. I suspect the wrong table is being called up.


 * Major foreign projects -
 * ✅ Pyrotec (talk) 20:10, 30 November 2010 (UTC) - Ref 14 is a 42 page report. The relevant page or pages numbers should be given in the citations - its called three times.


 * Petrochemicals -
 * ✅ Pyrotec (talk) 08:43, 26 November 2010 (UTC) - The main problem is lack of verifiability, i.e. no page numbers, in calls to reference 4.

...to be continued. Pyrotec (talk) 15:07, 21 November 2010 (UTC)
 * WP:Lead -

Copyrights / Plagiarism
Unfortunately, I need to consider these two topics.

This subsection: "The history of Iran’s oil industry began in 1901, when British speculator William D’Arcy received a concession from Iran to explore and develop southern Iran’s oil resources. The discovery of oil in 1908 led to the formation in 1909 of the London-based Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC). By purchasing a majority of the company’s shares in 1914, the British government gained direct control of the Iranian oil industry, which it would not relinquish for 37 years. After 1935 the APOC was called the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC). A 60-year agreement signed in 1933 established a flat payment to Iran of four British pounds for every ton of crude oil exported and denied Iran any right to control oil exports.[2]

In 1950 ongoing popular demand prompted a vote in the Majlis to nationalize the petroleum industry. A year later, the government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq formed the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). A 1953 coup d’état led by British and U.S. intelligence agencies ousted the Mossadeq government and paved the way for a new oil agreement.[6][7] In 1954 a new agreement divided profits equally between the NIOC and a multinational consortium that had replaced the AIOC. In 1973 Iran signed a new 20-year concession with the consortium.[2]

Beginning in the late 1950s, many of Iran’s international oil agreements did not produce the expected outcomes; even those oil companies that managed to extract oil in their designated areas contributed very little to the country’s total oil production. By the time of the Islamic Revolution of 1978–79, the five largest international companies that had agreements with the NIOC accounted for only 10.4 percent of total oil production.[clarification needed] During this period, Iran’s oil industry remained disconnected from other industries, particularly manufacturing. This separation promoted inefficiencies in the country’s overall industrial economy.[2]" appears to be identical to:

The history of Iran’s oil industry began in 1901, when British speculator William D’Arcy received a concession to explore and develop southern Iran’s oil resources. The discovery of oil in 1908 led to the formation in 1909 of the London-based Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC). By purchasing a majority of the company’s shares in 1914, the British government gained direct control of the Iranian oil industry, which it would not relinquish for 37 years. After 1935 the APOC was called the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC). A 60-year agreement signed in 1933 established a flat payment to Iran of four British pounds for every ton of crude oil exported and denied Iran any right to control oil exports.

In 1950 ongoing popular demand prompted a vote in the Majlis to nationalize the petroleum industry. A year later, the government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq formed the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). A 1953 coup d’état led by British and U.S. intelligence agencies ousted the Mossadeq government and paved the way for a new oil agreement" taken from page 160 of a cited report; and

"(see Mossadeq and Oil Nationalization, ch. 1). In 1954 a new agreement divided profits equally between the NIOC and a multinational consortium that had replaced the AIOC. In 1973 Iran signed a new 20-year concession with the consortium. Beginning in the late 1950s, many of Iran’s international oil agreements did not produce the expected outcomes; even those oil companies that managed to extract oil in their designated areas contributed very little to the country’s total oil production. By the time of the Islamic Revolution of 1978–79, the five largest international companies that had agreements with the NIOC accounted for only 10.4 percent of total oil production. During this period, Iran’s oil industry remained disconnected from other industries, particularly manufacturing. This separation promoted inefficiencies in the country’s overall industrial economy." taken from page 161 of a cited report.

Also, this subsection: "Following the Revolution, the NIOC took control of Iran’s petroleum industry and canceled Iran’s international oil agreements. In 1980 the exploration, production, sale, and export of oil were delegated to the Ministry of Petroleum. Initially Iran’s post-revolutionary oil policy was based on foreign currency requirements and the long-term preservation of the natural resource. Following the Iran–Iraq War, however, this policy was replaced by a more aggressive approach: maximizing exports and accelerating economic growth. From 1979 until 1998, Iran did not sign any oil agreements with foreign oil companies. Early in the first administration of President Mohammad Khatami (in office 1997–2005), the government paid special attention to developing the country’s oil and gas industry. Oil was defined as inter-generational capital and an indispensable foundation of economic development. Thus, between 1997 and 2004 Iran invested more than US$40 billion in expanding the capacity of existing oil fields and discovering and exploring new fields and deposits. These projects were financed either in the form of joint investments with foreign companies or domestic contractors or through direct investment by the NIOC. In accordance with the law, foreign investment in oil discovery was possible only in the form of buyback agreements under which the NIOC was required to reimburse expenses and retain complete ownership of an oil field. Marketing of crude oil to potential buyers was managed by the NIOC and by a government enterprise called Nicoo. Nicoo marketed Iranian oil to Africa, and the NIOC marketed to Asia and Europe. appears to be identical to:

"Following the Revolution, the NIOC took control of Iran’s petroleum industry and cancelled Iran’s international oil agreements. In 1980 the exploration, production, sale, and export of oil were delegated to the Ministry of Petroleum. Initially Iran’s postrevolutionary oil policy was based on foreign currency requirements and the long-term preservation of the natural resource. Following the Iran–Iraq War, however, this policy was replaced by a more aggressive approach: maximizing exports and accelerating economic growth. Prior to 1998, Iran did not sign any oil agreements with foreign oil companies. Early in the first administration of President Mohammad Khatami (in office 1997–2005), the government paid special attention to developing the country’s oil and gas industry. Oil was defined as intergenerational capital and an indispensable foundation of economic development. Thus, between 1997 and 2004 Iran invested more than US$40 billion in expanding the capacity of existing oil fields and discovering and exploring new fields and deposits. These projects were financed either in the form of joint investments with foreign companies or domestic contractors or through direct investment by the NIOC. In accordance with the law, foreign investment in oil discovery was possible only in the form of buyback agreements under which the NIOC was required to reimburse expenses and retain complete ownership of an oil field. Marketing of crude oil to potential buyers was managed by the NIOC and by a government enterprise called Nicoo. Nicoo marketed Iranian oil to Africa, and the NIOC marketed to Asia and Europe." taken from page 162 of a cited report.

This subsection: "Total oil production reached a peak level of 6.6 million bpd in 1976. By 1978, Iran had become the second-largest OPEC producer and exporter of crude oil and the fourth-largest producer in the world. After a lengthy decline in the 1980s, production of crude oil began to increase steadily in 1987. In 2008 Iran produced 3.9 million barrel per day (bpd) and exported 2.4 million bpd.[8] Accounting for 5 percent of world production, it returned to its previous position as OPEC’s second-largest producer. According to estimates, in 2005 Iran had the capacity to produce 4.5 million bpd; it was believed that production capacity could increase to 5 million bpd by 2010, but only with a substantial increase in foreign investment. Iran’s long-term sustainable oil production rate is estimated at 3.8 million bpd.[2]

In 2006 Iran reported crude oil reserves of 132.5 billion barrels, accounting for about 15 percent of OPEC’s proven reserves and 11.4 percent of world proven reserves. While the estimate of world crude oil reserves remained nearly steady between 2001 and 2006, at 1,154 billion barrels, the estimate of Iran’s oil reserves was revised upward by 32 percent when a new field was discovered near Bushehr. Market value of Iran's total oil reserves at international crude price of $75 per barrel stands at ~US $10 trillion.[9]

In the early 2000s, leading international oil firms from China, France, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, and the United Kingdom had agreements to develop Iran’s oil and gas fields. In 2004 China signed a major agreement to buy oil and gas from Iran, as well as to develop Iran’s Yadavaran oil field. The value of this contract was estimated at US$150 billion to US$200 billion over 25 years.[10][11] A more modest yet important agreement was signed with India to explore and produce oil and natural gas in southern Iran. In 2006 the rate of production decline was 8 percent for Iran’s existing onshore oil fields (furnishing the majority of oil output) and 10 percent for existing offshore fields. Little exploration, upgrading, or establishment of new fields occurred in 2005–6.[2] However, the threat of American retaliation kept the investment way below the desired levels.[12] It only allowed Iran to continue to keep its oil export at or below its OPEC determined quota level.[13][14]

"Total oil production reached a peak level of 6.6 million bpd in 1976. By 1978, Iran had become the second-largest OPEC producer and exporter of crude oil and the fourth-largest producer in the world. After a lengthy decline in the 1980s, production of crude oil began to increase steadily in 1987. In 2006 Iran produced 4.0 million bpd and exported 2.5 million bpd. Accounting for 5.1 percent of world production, it returned to its previous position as OPEC’s second-largest producer. According to estimates, in 2005 Iran had the capacity to produce 4.5 million bpd; it was believed that production capacity could increase to 5 million bpd by 2010, but only with a substantial increase in foreign investment. Iran’s long-term sustainable oil production rate is estimated at 3.8 million bpd.

In 2006 Iran reported crude oil reserves of 132.5 billion barrels, accounting for about 15 percent of OPEC’s proven reserves and 11.4 percent of world proven reserves. While the estimate of world crude oil reserves remained nearly steady between 2001 and 2006, at 1,154 billion barrels, the estimate of Iran’s oil reserves was revised upward by 32 percent when a new field was discovered near Bushehr.

In the early 2000s, leading international oil firms from China, France, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, and the United Kingdom had agreements to develop Iran’s oil and gas fields. In 2004 China signed a major agreement to buy oil and gas from Iran, as well as to develop Iran’s Yavaran oil field. The value of this contract was estimated at US$150 billion to US$200 billion over 25 years. A more modest yet important agreement was signed with India to explore and produce oil and natural gas in southern Iran. In 2006 the rate of production decline was 8 percent for Iran’s existing onshore oil fields (furnishing the majority of oil output) and 10 percent for existing offshore fields. Little exploration, upgrading, or establishment of new fields occurred in 2005–6." taken from pages 162 and 163 of a cited report.

The report available at carries this copyright information: "Use of ISBN. This is the Official U.S. Government edition of this publication and is herein identified to certify its authenticity. Use of the ISBN 978–0–8444–1187–3is for U.S. Government Printing Office Official Editions only. The Superintendent of Documents of the U.S. Government Printing Office requests that any printed edition clearly be labeled as a copy of the authentic work with a new ISBN. This work contains copyrighted information, clearly identified as such where included."

As far as I can see, only certain illustrations are labelled with copyright information, such as "Demonstrators outside the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in late 1979 Copyright Lehtikuva/PHOTRI" on page 59.

I don't think that this is a copyright breach, but I'm seeking clarification, but it does appear to fall foul of Plagiarism. Pyrotec (talk) 09:52, 26 November 2010 (UTC)


 * You're right that it is not a copyright breach, based on the above. :) This edit should address the plagiarism concerns. --Moonriddengirl (talk) 14:47, 29 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Thanks for clarifying those points. Pyrotec (talk) 19:52, 30 November 2010 (UTC)

Overall summary
GA review – see WP:WIAGA for criteria


 * 1) Is it reasonably well written?
 * A. Prose quality:
 * B. MoS compliance for lead, layout, words to watch, fiction, and lists:
 * 1) Is it factually accurate and verifiable?
 * A. References to sources:
 * B. Citation of reliable sources where necessary:
 * C. No original research:
 * 1) Is it broad in its coverage?
 * A. Major aspects:
 * B. Focused:
 * 1) Is it neutral?
 * Fair representation without bias:
 * 1) Is it stable?
 * No edit wars, etc:
 * 1) Does it contain images to illustrate the topic?
 * A. Images are copyright tagged, and non-free images have fair use rationales:
 * B. Images are provided where possible and appropriate, with suitable captions:
 * 1) Overall:
 * Pass or Fail:
 * 1) Is it stable?
 * No edit wars, etc:
 * 1) Does it contain images to illustrate the topic?
 * A. Images are copyright tagged, and non-free images have fair use rationales:
 * B. Images are provided where possible and appropriate, with suitable captions:
 * 1) Overall:
 * Pass or Fail:
 * B. Images are provided where possible and appropriate, with suitable captions:
 * 1) Overall:
 * Pass or Fail:
 * Pass or Fail:

I'm awarding this article GA-status. Congratulations to the various editors involved in producing a well-illustrated, well-referenced and informative article on Iran. Pyrotec (talk) 20:10, 30 November 2010 (UTC)