The province of Khuzestan is 63,213 km2 (24,407 sq mi) in the south-west of Iran, bordering Iraq and the Persian Gulf. Ahvaz is the capital of this province and its cities are Abadan, Behbahan, Dezful, Khorramshahr, Bander Imam, Shoush (Susa), Masjed Soleiman, Andimeshk, Mah Shahr, Ramhormoz, Omidiyeh, Shushtar, Izeh, Hoveizeh, Aqa Djari, Shadegan and Soosangerd.

Basically, the province of Khuzestan can be divided into two regions, the plains and mountainous regions. The agricultural lands are fertile and mainly in the west of the province, which are irrigated by the Karun, Karkheh and Jarahi rivers. These three large and permanent rivers flow over the entire territory contributing to the fertility of the land. Karun, Iran’s largest river, 850 kilometers long, flows into the Persian Gulf through this province.

The name Khuzestan, which means “The Land of the Khuzi,” refers to the original inhabitants of this province, the Khuzi people. Khuzestan is situated on the southern part of the Zagros mountain ranges, which covers the north and east of the province. The climate of Khuzestan is generally hot and humid, particularly in the south, while winters are much more pleasant and dry.

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“Oil production west of Karun must reach one million barrels per day,” Rouhani said on Sunday, referring to the North Azadegan, Yadavaran and North Yaran fields. “This is a realistic goal, and we need investment and technology,” IRNA reported.

Output at the fields west of the Karun River rose from 65,000 barrels per day in 2013 to about 250,000 barrels per day.

Iran had expected to reach that output target by the end of the year, Mohsen Ghamsari, director for international affairs at the National Iranian Oil Co., said in September.

North Azadegan is presently producing 85,000 bpd. Production from Yadavaran and North Yaran stand at 115,000 bpd and 30,000 bpd, respectively.

Accordingly, Iran’s production from oilfields on the western bank of the Karun River, that includes the above fields, has increased by above 250,000 bpd.

Iran awarded North Azadegan to the China National Petroleum Company (CNPC), Yadavaran to China’s Sinopec, and North Yaran to Iran’s Persia Oil and Gas Development Company through contracts worth $2.5 billion, $3 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively.

Rouhani said that Iran needs a total investment of at least $18 billion to develop all West Karun fields as well as the latest technology to guarantee increased oil recovery at the fields.

He noted the Ministry of Petroleum has effectively used the investment potentials created after the removal of sanctions in January under a nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, with six world powers.

The president added that more work still needs to be done to further increase the country’s production of crude oil.

The oilfields in West Karoun are Yadavaran, North Azadegan, South Azadegan, North Yaran, and South Yaran. The biggest among all are South Azadegan and Yadavaran which are shared with Iraq’s Majnoon and Sinbad fields, respectively.

Officials have already emphasized that a long-term plan has been devised to increase production from the fields to above one million bpd.

Iran has approved a new oil contract model to lure foreign investors, although the details have not been made public.

France’s Total SA reached an initial agreement to develop a natural gas field in Iran last week, becoming the first international oil company to sign a deal under the new energy contracts.

Foreign investment

Elsewhere in his remarks, President Rouhani said foreign investment is needed for full prosperity in the post-sanctions era.

“The nuclear deal created a new situation that ushered in fresh breathing air for Iran,” Rouhani said. “The oil industry has been a leading body in taking advantage of the new opportunities.”

“In the post-sanctions era, many said it would take years before Iran’s oil production could reach 2 million barrels per a day, but within a few months, the hardworking managers and engineers at the oil industry worked miracles and returned the country’s production to the level before the sanctions were imposed,” he said.

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Shadegan Wetland
hadegan Wetland, which extends over 296,000 hectares, is covered by diverse vegetations that have made it a suitable habitat for migrating waterfowls from north Europe, Canada and Siberia in autumn and winter.

According to Iran Daily quoting TourismIran, the wetland hosts a variety of fish that live in salty and sweet water.
It is a habitat and breeding ground for Marbled Teal while rare bird species such as Spotted Curlew and African Glossy Ibis are also found in its surroundings.
Generally speaking, the wetland can be accounted as a habitat of one-third of the flora and fauna that are on the verge of extinction.
The wetland enjoys an international status and according to the regulations of the Supreme Council for Environmental Protection is titled Shadegan International Wildlife Refuges.
Shadegan Wetland, located in the town of the same name, is one of the 18 wetlands listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The wetland—locally known as Hoor—is one of the outstanding natural attractions of Khuzestan. To understand its significant role in the region’s ecosystem and economy, a brief overview of Khuzestan is required.

Khuzestan, considered one of the biggest provinces of Iran, is located in southwestern Iran and to the north of Persian Gulf. The province is divided into two parts: the plains and the mountains.
Plains are considered a natural part of Mesopotamia. Considering its hot and dry climate, the warm period lasts 7 months in the year starting from March 21 up to Oct. 22.
Annual rainfall in the provincial plains is the shortest and most intense rainfall witnessed among significant parts of the region. The wetland surrounds the town from the south to the west.
Extending over 1,328,191 acres, the wetland’s waters come from the Jarrahi Stream, meaning the “big brown” in Farsi.

Shadegan Wetland offers an incredible natural richness. The hot and dry climate and the presence of dust in the air combined with the wetland’s moisture make a mist that has a substantial effect on the stabilization of Khuzestan’s climate.
Its flora and fauna are of remarkable environmental and economic value. The wetland is considered a winter settlement for migratory birds of the South Siberian plains and local species.
On several levels, including bio-environmental, social and economic, the wetland has a huge impact on the life of Shadegan’s inhabitants.
Shadegan, an ancient town of Khuzestan, is located 28 miles northeast of Abadan, near the ancient Musa Cove named after Darius by the end of the Achaemenian period and changed to Dourak or Douragh during the Islamic era.
In olden times, Shadegan was populated mainly by Aryans but the Islamic and Arab dominance later led to the emergence of a new ethnic community.
On account of its location near “Musa Cove” and the Persian Gulf’s encroachment, Shadegan Wetland was called Bouzi Port until 15 years ago.
Remnants of Bouzi Port can be seen to the south of Shadegan, on the way to Abadan and Mahshahr.

ME/

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