Mahdiya Motahhari made the remarks Monday during a ceremony to sign selected research and technology contracts at NIOC. He said 26 research and technology contracts are currently underway.

Motahhari said the contracts signed Monday are new agreements based on artificial intelligence and digital transformation, with a focus on field pilot projects in exploration, drilling and production.

He added that some contracts were signed earlier this year and that several more will be concluded by the end of the year. The measures, He said, reflect senior management’s attention to cutting-edge global technologies.

Motahhari said adopting these technologies will help increase productivity, save time and reduce costs, while paving the way for the oil industry’s move toward innovation and digital transformation.