According to National Iranian South Oilfields Company, Ramin Hatami made the remarks on the sidelines of a meeting marking the start of the pilot phase of the Digital Oil Field (DOF) project. Referring to the pilot smartization of oil wells, he said the project enables real-time monitoring of data such as well temperature and pressure, representing a major step toward improving production management and operational efficiency.

Hatami said the project carries two key messages. First, it demonstrates that two long-established companies can move from decision-making to field implementation in a short time frame, calling the completion of this process in less than a year a notable achievement. Second, he said the project marks a critical turning point for the southern oilfields, clearly reflecting a shift from traditional models to digital field management.

Digitalizing Oil Fields: From Data Collection to Smart Decisions

Highlighting the difference between traditional and modern decision-making models in the oil industry, Hatami said that in the past, decisions were based on intermittent data, while today, online data analysis makes preventive decision-making possible. This allows potential issues to be managed before they turn into incidents.

He described the project as a milestone in the digital transformation of the southern oilfields, noting that just as the use of wellhead data was once considered novel, digitalizing oil fields must now be viewed through the same lens. Entering this path is inevitable, he said, and the sooner it begins, the greater the chances of success over the long term.

Hatami stressed that the project’s goal is not merely data collection. In the next stages, data analysis and intelligent decision-making will take priority. He said these data represent the organization’s most valuable asset.

From Cost-Based to Investment-Based Views on Digitalization

Hatami described organizational value as a combination of hydrocarbon resources and human capital, saying that smart management of these two elements leads to optimized production, higher recovery rates and, ultimately, wealth creation. He added that digitalization should therefore be viewed as an investment rather than a cost.

Referring to the strategic role of the National Iranian South Oilfields Co. in the country’s economy, Hatami said that for a company responsible for about 75% of Iran’s oil production and 10% of its gas output, digitalization means smarter resource protection, greater production resilience and alignment with global oil industry standards.

He said the goal is not only to maintain production but to manage resources and reserves intelligently for the future. By expanding digitalization and using artificial intelligence, he added, the industry can leave behind a modern, dynamic and leading sector for future generations.

Smart Oil Fields Using Domestic Technology

At the same meeting, Mohammad Jafarpour, CEO of the Telecommunication Co. of Iran, referred to the company’s century-long cooperation with the oil industry and announced the successful implementation of the pilot smart oil well project using domestic technology.

He said all stages of design, pilot execution and development of the smartization platform were carried out using local engineering capabilities. The next phase, he added, will focus on localizing field equipment and sensors that meet industrial and military standards and can withstand harsh weather conditions. The ultimate goal is to expand smartization across a wider range of oil wells nationwide and improve operational efficiency and accuracy.

Jafarpour also pointed to the export potential of the technology, saying the project proved that complex, high-tech projects once monopolized by foreign companies can be completed through domestic cooperation and reach the cutting edge of global technology. He said the Telecommunication Company of Iran is also ready to provide secure cloud infrastructure and fiber-optic networks required by the oil industry in oil-producing provinces.

During the pilot phase of the project, 12 wells from the Ahvaz oil field were selected as candidate wells. These wells are equipped with smart systems for real-time online monitoring, enabling operators to conduct detailed data analysis. In addition to boosting efficiency and reducing operational risks, the Digital Oil Field project is expected to pave the way for broader smartization of other oil fields and strengthen the role of technology in Iran’s oil industry.