Drawing on domestic firms’ expertise and using indigenous goods and services are high priorities for promoting knowledge-based firms, said the managing director of the National Iranian Drilling Company, a subsidiary of the National Iranian Oil Company.
“Collaborations with local firms have helped NIDC indigenize more than 20,000 pieces and parts over the last four decades,” Hamidreza Golpayegani was also quoted as saying by the Oil Ministry’s newswire.
“The indigenized equipment, accounting for almost 80% of the industry's needs, include drilling mud pumps, blowout preventers, traction motors, draw-works, drilling fluid recycling systems, mission centrifugal pumps, top drives and drilling rig pressure systems,” he said.
“The state-run company is willing to expand its win-win cooperation with local manufacturers, as not only does it help NIDC meet its technical needs, but also domestic firms will be obliged to keep themselves updated to share their expertise with us.”
According to Golpayegani, NIDC can have a stronger presence in offshore and onshore oilfields.
“Our drilling fleet is growing and making advances in technology. We had six drilling rigs in 1981, which has now reached 72. We will undertake more projects in the oil-rich regions, especially in Khuzestan,” he added.
The official said his company holds 70% share of the domestic drilling market.
NIDC has drilled and repaired 4,806 onshore and offshore oil and gas wells (equivalent to 10 million meters) over the last 40 years
NIDC has drilled and repaired 4,806 onshore and offshore oil and gas wells (equivalent to 10 million meters) over the last 40 years.
Giving a breakdown, Golpayegani noted that of the total operations, close to 4,380 wells or 9 million meters were dug onshore and the rest of the projects was carried out offshore.
Iran shares oil and gas reservoirs with neighbors, including several oil deposits with Iraq. The Arab state shares 1,400 km of border with Iran to the west.
“We want to enter foreign markets as part of the company's overseas plan. We hope we can provide technical services to other countries [especially neighbors], or set up drilling rigs for drilling wells overseas,” he said.
Upgrading Devices
According to Shahram Shamipour, an NIDC official, the company has allocated $23 million for upgrading drilling devices and equipment.
“Over 220 devices will be upgraded, including fluid pumps, chart recorders and generators,” he said, adding that funds will help provide services to relevant companies and reduce technical malfunctions.
Thanks to the skills and technical knowhow of NIDC engineers and their peers from private firms, several drilling devices and equipment were retooled and upgraded last year.
In the past, engineers and technicians had to be sent overseas for training.
NIDC plans to help boost the production at 28 oil and gas reservoirs, including Balaroud, Bangestan Lali, Ramin, Sepehr, Siahamkan, Naftshahr, Gachsaran, Ahvaz and Maroun.
The global oilfield equipment market is forecast to reach $144.4 billion by 2027, according to a new report by Reports and Data.
Demand for oilfield equipment has been relatively high over the past decade because of increasing oil and gas extraction and oilfield activities globally.
Rising gas consumption is a significant factor driving demand for shale gas. Also, technological advancement in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have enabled economic viability of shale gas production and accessibility to better and deeper shale gas deposits.
The Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted the oilfield equipment industry, as well as other industries in the past year. The rapid spread of the virus has caused a drop in demand and henceforth, crude oil prices.
Founded in 1979, NIDC is conducting drilling operations for the National Iranian South Oil Company, Petroleum Engineering and Development Company, Iranian Offshore Oil Company and Iranian Central Oil Fields Company.
Besides drilling, it provides 30% of technical services to the oil industry, namely well logging, cementing and acidizing, drill stem test, well testing, training, development and general services.
NIDC has undertaken drilling work in Yaran, Yadavaran and Darkhoein oil fields in Khuzestan, and the Azar oilfield in Ilam Province.
