International expositions are the best opportunity to introduce Iranian technological breakthroughs in oil drilling sector to foreign markets.
Hamidreza Tayebi, the head of Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, made the statement at the 25th International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference in Azerbaijan on Wednesday, IRNA reported.
The energy event, which runs from May 29 to June1 at Baku Expo Center, gathers leading experts and leaders of the oil industry, namely SOCAR, BP, Total, Norway's Statoil as well as Turkey's Petkim to demonstrate advanced technologies of oil and gas production, refining, transportation, logistics and services. According to Tayebi, Baku Expo is of high repute among regional shows and a large number of oil investors regularly participate in it.
"ACECR has attended the expo with the aim of marketing domestic high-tech drilling systems and equipment," Tayebi said, adding that talks are being held with potential buyers although no deal has been concluded yet.
The official noted that more than 100 rigs have been purchased by Iranian companies. Nonetheless, ACECR is the only research center that has imported much of the needed know-how to the country to manufacture rigs locally.
"Moreover, such international fairs provide us with the opportunity to present our indigenized know-how and attract foreign customers," he said.
"Drawing on domestic expertise has helped ACECR accomplish complex tasks and it is time we displayed our capabilities to the regional and international markets."
Reportedly, Iran's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Javad Jahangirzadeh paid a visit to ACECR's booth in Baku.
According to Tayebi, companies from Iran, Canada, China, Britain, Germany, Georgia, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Turkey and Azerbaijan are attending the current exhibition.
The companies present a wide range of platforms and floating drilling rigs, equipment, services, innovative technologies for oil production and transportation of energy resources, storage systems for oil and gas, pipe laying and pipe security systems.
Joint Ventures
In line with efforts to boost drilling operations and have access to detailed know-how for producing rigs, domestic firms have signed joint venture deals with foreign enterprises.
According to Ehsan Mousavi, managing director of Tasdid Offshore Development Company, a contract worth $1 billion has been signed with Russia's Krasnye Barrikady to build five offshore drilling rigs for exploration and production in Iran's oil and gas fields in the Persian Gulf. According to the terms of the contract, Krasnye Barrikady will share the know-how of rig construction to the National Iranian Oil Company.
Mousavi said cooperation with the Russian company will also lead to the establishment of a major center for overhauling offshore and onshore drilling rigs in south Iran.
"Russian and Chinese companies will be involved in the initiative to establish the overhaul center," Mousavi said without providing details.
He added that the design of the rigs will be based on geological properties of the South Pars Gas Field in the Persian Gulf.
An affiliate of state-run Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company, Tasdid is a general contractor in the oil, gas, petrochemical and power-generation industries. Ilichev reportedly said that his company is committed to working with Iran even if sanctions are reintroduced.
"Sanctions do not have much impact on our negotiations. We are a business group and fully understand that we have to meet our obligations," Ilichev was quoted as saying by the Oil Ministry's official news agency Shana.
