VOL. XXXI

NO. 51

26-SEPTEMBER-1988

IRAN

Hard Price Bargaining for Iran's 4Q Crude Sales to Japan

Some hard bargaining on prices between Iran and its Japanese crude customersis presently in progress in Tokyo, where an NIOC team arrived last week tofinalize contracts for the fourth quarter. Japanese buyers have made it clearthat, if they are to lift their contract volumes in the fourth quarter, asubstantial reduction in Iran's price formula will be required to meetcompetition from other suppliers....