22 April 2013
Sanctions have led to the indigenization of Iran's drilling industry, said the deputy head of National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC).
Mohammad Reza Takayedi also told Iran Daily that the company has prioritized exploration operations in joint oil and gas fields.
"Currently, it is present in the joint oilfields of Azar, Yaran, South Azadegan and North Azadegan," he said.
"NIDC has launched nine drilling rigs in joint oilfields with the cooperation of six other domestic and foreign firms."
Takayedi said since foreign companies cannot secure the needs of Iranian drilling industry due to Western sanctions and pressures, Iranian officials have focused more on the potentials of domestic manufacturers.
"At present, domestic manufacturers produce over 50 percent of facilities, engines and parts required by the drilling industry," he said.
"If we achieve self-sufficiency in the production of drilling parts, many problems facing the industry will be removed."
For the first time, a contract was signed between a domestic producer and the National Iranian South Oil Company in terms of supplying 100 drilling parts.
"Such a production level is a great step toward achieving self-sufficiency in the drilling industry," he added.
The official called promotion of drilling fleet as the other program of NIDC.
"With the addition of 29 rigs to NIDC by March 2015, the total number of drilling rigs will reach 94," he said.
The rise in the number of drilling rigs will help develop techno-engineering services in the drilling sector for attracting turn-key projects and expanding drilling operations in joint energy fields.
"Currently, we can dig wells up to a depth of 6,000 meters. We can conduct horizontal and inclined drillings at these depths. At present, drilling operations are conducted in Persian Gulf and South Pars at a depth of 4,800 meters with an angle of 60-70 degrees."
Takayedi further said NIDC has 73 active drilling rigs in 10 oil-rich provinces and regions, 68 of which are owned by NIDC and the rest are leased.
Many negotiations have been held in terms of implementing overseas projects.
"We have held negotiations with Iraq in terms of rendering techno-engineering services and launching drilling rigs there. We hope that the negotiations will be finalized within four months," he said.
"NIDC has also taken part in many tenders in Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, but a definite response has not been received."
Pointing to activities conducted by NIDC since its establishment, the official said over 3,500 wells were dug with an entire length of 7.5 million meters through 115,000 technical-engineering operations in the past 33 years.
"NIDC has implemented turnkey projects since 10 years ago. It has completed the drilling of 24 wells in phases 9 and 10 of South Pars," he said.
Takayedi announced that drilling operations of eight wells would be completed in August.
"Also, 22 other wells should be drilled in Phase 14 of South Pars," he concluded.
Sanctions have led to the indigenization of Iran's drilling industry, said the deputy head of National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC).
Mohammad Reza Takayedi also told Iran Daily that the company has prioritized exploration operations in joint oil and gas fields.
"Currently, it is present in the joint oilfields of Azar, Yaran, South Azadegan and North Azadegan," he said.
"NIDC has launched nine drilling rigs in joint oilfields with the cooperation of six other domestic and foreign firms."
Takayedi said since foreign companies cannot secure the needs of Iranian drilling industry due to Western sanctions and pressures, Iranian officials have focused more on the potentials of domestic manufacturers.
"At present, domestic manufacturers produce over 50 percent of facilities, engines and parts required by the drilling industry," he said.
"If we achieve self-sufficiency in the production of drilling parts, many problems facing the industry will be removed."
For the first time, a contract was signed between a domestic producer and the National Iranian South Oil Company in terms of supplying 100 drilling parts.
"Such a production level is a great step toward achieving self-sufficiency in the drilling industry," he added.
The official called promotion of drilling fleet as the other program of NIDC.
"With the addition of 29 rigs to NIDC by March 2015, the total number of drilling rigs will reach 94," he said.
The rise in the number of drilling rigs will help develop techno-engineering services in the drilling sector for attracting turn-key projects and expanding drilling operations in joint energy fields.
"Currently, we can dig wells up to a depth of 6,000 meters. We can conduct horizontal and inclined drillings at these depths. At present, drilling operations are conducted in Persian Gulf and South Pars at a depth of 4,800 meters with an angle of 60-70 degrees."
Takayedi further said NIDC has 73 active drilling rigs in 10 oil-rich provinces and regions, 68 of which are owned by NIDC and the rest are leased.
Many negotiations have been held in terms of implementing overseas projects.
"We have held negotiations with Iraq in terms of rendering techno-engineering services and launching drilling rigs there. We hope that the negotiations will be finalized within four months," he said.
"NIDC has also taken part in many tenders in Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, but a definite response has not been received."
Pointing to activities conducted by NIDC since its establishment, the official said over 3,500 wells were dug with an entire length of 7.5 million meters through 115,000 technical-engineering operations in the past 33 years.
"NIDC has implemented turnkey projects since 10 years ago. It has completed the drilling of 24 wells in phases 9 and 10 of South Pars," he said.
Takayedi announced that drilling operations of eight wells would be completed in August.
"Also, 22 other wells should be drilled in Phase 14 of South Pars," he concluded.
© Iran Daily 2013
