The number of wells shows 18 percent and over 34 percent increases when compared to those drilled and completed during the corresponding period last year and two years ago respectively, Babak Zanganeh added.

Of the wells, 45 were drilled and completed in the areas covered by affiliated companies of the National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC), two by the Iranian Central Oil Fields Company (ICOFC), four by the Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC), and one by the Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC) and three were completed during the project operations, he explained, adding six were development-appraisal wells and 49 others underwent workover operations.

According to the NIDC director, 39,536 meters were drilled during the six-month period.

NIDC is currently using 62 light, heavy, and superheavy onshore and offshore drilling systems in different operations, he concluded.