The following is the full text of the interview Zobeidi gave to “Iran Petroleum”.

What measures have been taken by NIOC under the 13th administration?

Under the new administration, it was decided from the very beginning to adopt serious plans for restoring oil production to pre-sanctions levels. Before sanctions, we were producing 3.838 mb/d of oil, return to which took place in several phases until early March. Now we are fully ready to produce 3.838 mb/d of oil. Thanks to efforts made by NIOC’s subsidiaries – National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC), Iran Offshore Oil Company (IOOC), Iranian Central Oil Fields Company (ICOFC), Arvandan Oil and Gas Production Company (AOGPC) and Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC) – this objective was achieved. These companies, whose meetings I attended, were very active, mainly in pipe-laying and upstream-related activities including workover of wells.

Would you please specifically speak about other activities which have been done under this administration?

A gas sweetening train of Phase 14 of the South Pars gas field become operational as it had not been completed. It was significant and labor-intensive. Three contractors were working round the clock to finish the job so that this capacity would be used under tough winter conditions. The DMC unit was completed for demercaptanization and deodorization from South Pars gas condensate. Some wells had been drilled in West Karoun without having reached production. It was unused wealth. Thanks to PEDEC’s efforts, 13 of these wells reached production.

What are your future plans?

One of our major causes of concern is to supply winter gas needs in the current calendar year. NIOC hopes to make maximum output from South Pars. In other words, SP13, SP22-24 and the SP14 refinery should be finalized and completed. Moreover, in the current calendar year, gas transmission from the Kish field to South Pars, as well as activation of 15 packages of ICOFC gas fields would be followed up on. As far as SP11 development is concerned, we are focusing on the 450 mcf/d (13 mcm/d) output. Continued work for pressure compression at South Pars and developing North Pars to plug South Pars output drop are among other plans which we will be following up on the current calendar year. Of course, recovery from the North Pars field is expected in coming years.

What are your plans in West Karoun?

Production from South Azadegan is expected to reach 220,000 b/d by next March. A comprehensive development plan has been adopted for the integrated development of Azadegan (North Azadegan and South Azadegan) along with a water injection-based enhanced recovery. Of course, we would need extensive drilling for this project, which would start next calendar year. However, arrangements should be made now. More well drilling and completing part of the CTEP processing unit, which is associated with the phase 1 of the South Azadegan field, should be done this year.

Do you have a comprehensive plan for total recovery from Azadegan?

Yes, we eye 570,000 b/d production from the entire Azadegan. This development project is based on proposals made by numerous companies including Shell, Total, Petronas and Inpex that were willing to develop the field. Therefore, this figure is reasonable.

At what stage are negotiations for the second phase development of Yadavaran?

We intend to continue the Yadavaran development. We are in talks with a foreign company for the second step to bring production from 110,000 to 210,000 b/d. Meantime, EPDF, EPCF and IPC projects should be also pursued.

Courtesy of Iran Petroleum