Talking to reporters, Mehdi Fakour, the NIOC director of exploration, added the neighboring states are keen to utilize Iran’s great experience in the exploration sector and will negotiate to import Iran’s indigenous know-how and homegrown equipment.

According to him, Oil Minister Javad Owji and NIOC Managing Director Mohsen Khojastehmehr have attached great significance to the exploration industry, as it will shape the future of the country’s energy sector.

The Raeisi administration is also seeking to share its exploration expertise with other countries, Fakour announced.

The plan is aimed at exporting technology and equipment, earning revenues, and creating job opportunities, he mentioned.

Fakour referred to the Middle Eastern and Eurasian states as main target markets for Iranian-made technology and equipment, noting lack of indigenized exploration management in the regional countries has highlighted Iran’s status, prompting them to meet their needs through Iran.  

He recalled the visit Oman’s energy adviser paid to Tehran and added he highly welcomed all proposals Iran outlined on its cooperation in the exploration sector and agreed to form a joint group to follow up the affairs.

Fakour also announced that Tajikistan is eager to establish broad ties in the exploration sector, adding the two sides reached agreements on five issues, three of which were related to the exploration operations, and the Iranian team is scheduled to visit Tajikistan on March 12.

During his trip to Tehran, the Tajik energy minister called for Iran to set up an exploration management system in his ministry, develop exploration structures, and revive low-yield and shutdown wells, the NIOC official continued.

The director also said that Russia will send a team to Iran within almost two weeks to hold talks with the NIOC CEO and explore all avenues to use Iran’s experience in the exploration industry.

According to him, Iraq is another country that has expressed its willingness to indigenize its exploration sector through employing Iran’s state-of-the-art technology.

Baghdad’s demand was made during the visits the Iraqi energy officials paid to Tehran, pointed out Fakour, adding the Iranian officials will make a trip to Iraq by March 20.

These negotiations will raise the status of Iran’s exploration industry and open a new window for it, helping the country demonstrate its wide knowledge to foreign rivals, boasted the NIOC official.