TEHRAN — Azadegan tender documents are expected to be ready by December 15, the managing director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) said here on Wednesday.

Japan’s INPEX currently holds a 10-percent share in Azadegan oilfield project. NIOC marketing subsidiary, Naftiran Intertrade Company (NICO) is the general contractor which has selected Petroiran Development Company (PEDCO) as the sub-contractor, Manuchehr Nozari told reporters at the sideline of an NIOC seminar held here.

INPEX has already chosen Italian petroleum and gas group Saipem — a subsidiary of Italian energy giant ENI — along with Japanese Marubeni Corporation and an Iranian company (he declined to name) to carry out operations. The senior oil official added that the whole tender documents are currently being assessed and, “We are hopeful that all documents are completely prepared by mid-next month.”

Nozari further announced that NIOC will finish the preparation of a directive on modifications to buy-back deals by next week.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the managing director said that NIOC held discussions with French Total on Tuesday on a project to develop phase 11 at the South Pars (SP) as well as “Pars LNG” project.

He explained that phase 11 development project is awaiting final investment decision (FID) to be contracted, adding, Total is due to carry out both upstream and downstream operations at the phase. According to him, the final value of the contract is yet to be determined. Pointing out to the project to develop Yadavaran oilfield in southern Iran, he stated that NIOC has negotiated with a Chinese company over the project last week. “Officials of the company will visit Iran next week to make a final decision.”

He also expressed hope that the development project of SP phases 6-8 is commissioned by the end of the current Iranian year, falling on March 20, 2007. On awarding a project to develop Ahvaz-Bangestan oilfield to Mostazafan Foundation, Nozari commented, “NIOC can award the project to the foundation and its Russian joint venture upon implementation of it within the framework previously proposed by PEDCO.”

Upon acceptance by the foundation, he added, it can take up the project, given that PEDCO is currently involved in Azadegan project.

In late 2004, NIOC signed a contract with its subsidiary PEDCO on the development of Ahvaz-Bangestan oilfield in the southwestern province of Khuzestan. In recent months, the foundation has reportedly been negotiating with NIOC to take up the project.