Former Houston oil exec accused of trying to export goods to Iran

A former Houston-based Weatherford executive is due in federal court Thursday afternoon to face a charge that he sought to illegally export oil-field equipment to Iran, according to records.

Patrick Zuber, who was a vice president overseeing operations in the Middle East for the oil-services company, is accused of conspiring to export goods from the United States.

Prosecutors contend that in January 2007 Zuber received an e-mail inquiring about services that could be provided in Iran. Zuber then allegedly forwarded the request to another conspirator while knowing that facilitating the sale of equipment - through the United Arab Emirates and on to Iran - was illegal under U.S. law.

Weatherford, which has corporate offices in Houston, is one of the world's largest oil field services companies. It specializes in drilling systems and technology and has more than $15 billion in annual corporate revenues, according to prosecutors.

The accusations against Zuber are spelled out in a document known as an information.

Such documentation often indicates that a defendant has agreed in advance to quickly admit to a charge, rather than first have a grand jury consider whether enough evidence exists to warrant a criminal indictment.

Zuber is scheduled to have his initial appearance as well as be arraigned and re-arraigned by U.S. District Judge Gray Miller.

Court records do not yet list an attorney for Zuber.

The action against Zuber is related to two other federal cases in which Weatherford entities are named, according to court records.

Houston Chronicle