Iran's offshore Abouzar Oilfield in the Persian Gulf is now operating at full capacity after the completion of the overhaul of one of its three platforms.
“After reinstalling the AA platform, the oilfield has recovered over 12,000 barrels per day in crude production,” Saeed Hafezi, the managing director of Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC), was quoted as saying by Shana.
Abouzar is located 76 kilometers southwest of the Kharg Island. Its output, now at 200,000 barrels per day from about 90 wells, is transferred via a pipeline to the island for export after being processed.
The AA platform, which is one of Abouzar Oilfields’ three platforms in the Kharg oil zone, has come on stream after the laying of a flexible subsea pipeline for connecting it to its adjacent AB platform and repairing its wells.
According to the official, the AA platform was out of service due to a malfunction in the subsea pipeline. The oilfield, which is one of the most important Iranian offshore fields, was bombed during the Iraqi-imposed war in the 1980s. However, it was one of the first fields to be reconstructed after the military hostilities ended in 1988 and has since maintained operations.
40,000 bpd Output Rise
Hafezi noted that the National Iranian Oil Company is planning to raise output at Abouzar by 40,000 bpd.
Raising oil extraction from joint oilfields tops the NIOC's list of priorities.
"Renovating 48 wells and boosting extraction from the Persian Gulf oilfields are the main targets of IOOC," he said, predicting that as soon as the wells are reconditioned, approximately 50,000 barrels per day will be added to Iran's production capacity.
The potential for investment in Iran's oil and gas projects in the Persian Gulf region is projected at over $20 billion, the official was quoted as saying.
"Negotiations are underway with Italy's oil giant Eni, France's Total and an Austrian company to implement oil projects in the region," Hafezi said without elaboration.
Development of other southern Iranian oilfields, notably Soroush, Abouzar, Hengam and Doroud, are also among lucrative business opportunities for foreign contractors.
