An Iranian oil industry official says the Islamic Republic has acquired necessary technology to build offshore oil and gas drilling rigs inside the country.
Managing Director of Razavi Oil and Gas Development Company Ali Yadqar was quoted by Iranian media as saying on Tuesday that the technical know-how to build offshore oil rigs exists in Iran and the project will be carried out in cooperation with domestic companies.
The official made the remarks in a ceremony held to sign a contract with Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade for building five offshore drilling rigs.
“Some 58 percent of the first rig will be manufactured in the country, but as Iranian experts gain more experience in this regard, the figure will reach 84 percent for the fifth rig,” he said.
The managing director of Razavi Oil and Gas Development Company further noted that if Ministry of Petroleum and the National Iranian Oil Company support the project, its implementation will be expedited and domestic manufacturers will be encouraged.
Meanwhile, Gholam-Abbas Jokar, managing director of Tasdid Maritime Structures Development Company said during the ceremony that the design phase of the drilling rigs has been finished and necessary permits have been obtained.
“These rigs will be manufactured at Khorramshahr yard, but as a first step, Iranian companies capable of manufacturing necessary equipment for these rigs will be identified,” the official added.
The contract for manufacturing five offshore rigs was signed in presence of Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh.
The project will be implemented by Razavi Consortium – which consists of private companies and public companies affiliated to Imam Reza (PBUH) Holy Shrine – as client with Tasdid Maritime Structures Development Company as contractor.
Total cost of the project, which is to be financed by the private sector, National Development Fund, and Bank of Industry and Mine, has been estimated at about USD 1.1 billion.
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