TEHRAN (PIN) – The first phase of Azadegan oilfield in southern Iran would become operational within the next 45 months in case contractors of the remaining 35 tenders were signed, said the development plan executive official yesterday.

Naji Sa’duni told PIN that safety engineering operations, purchase of equipment, and surface operations were the main priorities of the 35 tenders.
He added Petroiran Co. had recently formulated a comprehensive plan on the timetable for putting the tenders into practice.
Two of the tenders on the development of Azadegan field were ceded in Oct. 2006, said the official, adding the two included the construction of makeshift camp for the staff and the building of road.
National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC) Managing Director Seifollah Jashnsaz said the early production of huge Azadegan oilfield would start in January 2008.
“According to the prediction, the seven wells of the (Azadegan) field are expected to produce 25 thousand barrels per day (bpd), said Jashnsaz.
The official added the experts of NISOC and Petroiran Co. were outlining a plan on the second stage of production in an attempt to lift Azadegan’s output to 50 thousand barrels a day.
“To this end, the setting up of an independent exploitation plant and a desalination unit, drilling of 12 wells in Azadegan field, and laying of 130 kilometers of 24 inch pipeline extending from the region to Ahvaz have been planned,” said the NISOC head.
Iran previously said it expected the first six wells to produce 20,000 bpd in the Azadegan field on Iran’s border with Iraq. The field was to have been developed by a Japanese firm until talks collapsed in 2006.
Azadegan is Iran’s biggest oilfield. In-place reserves have been put at 26 billion barrels.
Japan’s INPEX Holdings Inc. had been due to develop the field but talks collapsed in 2006, with the Japanese firm citing spiraling investment costs. INPEX retains a 10 percent stake.