Managing director of OIIC told P.I.N. that expanding companies active in EPC projects has been approved by managing board of the company. Ahmad Nassiri noted that increasing upstream oil activities was a priority of the company with direct presence in drilling activities being another priority. The official stated that OIIC is leasing drilling rigs to carry out offshore drilling projects. "The company is moving toward establishment of big companies to take charge of major oil projects by ceding its small affiliated companies (with a capital of less than 4-5 million dollars)," he said. Nassiri said total number of OIIC's subsidiaries stands at 22 of which 17 companies are active now.