The managing director of the National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) referred to the company's move towards domestic production of the equipment, and said: "One of the strategic priorities of the National Iranian Drilling Company is to increase the share of domestic manufacturing.”“In this regard, cooperation has been developed with companies such as Fajr Shiraz Complex, which has experience in manufacturing key components of drilling rigs. The project to build the third drilling rig in the country with a savings of seven million dollars is an example of these measures", Mehran Makvandi added.According to him, prioritization is based on the operational needs of the fields, the type of projects, and domestic capacity, although the lack of some technical infrastructure, the need for technology transfer, and the timely supply of quality parts are some of the challenges on the localization path. However, the company is determined to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence.Makvandi further referred to the NIDC’s contracts with knowledge-based companies and added: "Nine one-megawatt generator motors and four drilling fluid purification centrifuges, which were previously imported, will be manufactured inside the country, and the first samples will be delivered by the end of the [current Iranian] year (March 20, 2026)."He also noted: “A specific roadmap has been developed for utilizing these technologies, which includes continuous cooperation with science and technology parks, universities, knowledge-based companies, and the formation of specialized working groups to evaluate and implement technologies in field operations.”The NIDC managing director has also stated that purchasing 15 new drilling rigs for the oil and gas industry is on the agenda.Makvandi said that a plan to purchase 15 onshore drilling rigs with different capacities and a value of over $800 million has been prepared, which is being implemented with the support of the Ministry of Oil and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).Pointing out that last year, the company was able to drill, repair, and complete 100 oil and gas wells using 62 active drilling rigs and the return of two more rigs to operational lines, he added: "Of this number, 24 were development and explanatory wells and 76 were dedicated to repair and completion operations."He attributed this success to careful planning, interdepartmental coordination, increased operational efficiency, and strengthened integrated technical services, and noted: “This performance is a significant leap compared to previous years, given the economic and sanctions conditions.”Makvandi stated that the reactivation of idle rigs played an effective role in this success, adding: "Increasing productivity, reducing unproductive times, and relying on domestic capacity are the main pillars of this achievement."The managing director of the NIDC further emphasized: "These rigs are designed for descriptive and exploratory purposes and will be equipped with the latest technologies. Specialized technical service equipment including high-pressure pumps, and well testing are also on the purchase list."He continued: "The convergence of this equipment with the current fleet and the integrated planning management of the National Iranian Oil Company is underway in the form of a joint supervisory working group and in coordination with the Ministry of Oil."As previously announced by the NIDC deputy managing director for drilling operations, the company has completed the drilling and development of 20 onshore oil and gas wells during the first two months of the current Iranian year (March 20 – May 21).Hamidreza Shafi’ee Makvandi said the wells included four development and appraisal wells and 16 workover or completion wells.Of the total wells drilled, 16 were located in oilfields operated by subsidiaries of the National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC), one in the Central Iranian Oil Fields Company’s operational area, one for the Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC), one for Pars Oil and Gas Company, and one as part of a project completed and handed over to the client, he added. (ICE TEHERAN)

Fonte notizia: Tehran Times