National Iranian Drilling Co. Plans Annual Overhaul of 7 Rigs

The National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) has developed a comprehensive annual plan to overhaul and modernize seven drilling rigs as part of a broader strategy to enhance technical and specialized services across the country’s onshore oil and gas fields, a senior official said.

Jahangir Shojaei, NIDC’s deputy managing director for technical affairs, said the primary goal of the company’s development programs is to improve service quality, reduce operational downtime, and increase client satisfaction, in line with the Iranian National Oil Company’s mandated production targets.

Shojaei explained that the NIDC’s technical affairs division comprises the drilling technical services department, the special services department, the information and communications technology department, and the equipment renovation and quality improvement unit — each playing a key role in drilling operations.

Infrastructure upgrades, adoption of smart technologies

Addressing the company's use of smart technologies in the design and execution of deviated wells, Shojaei said that last year saw significant achievements due to the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, the integration of advanced equipment, and the overhaul of existing machinery. These advancements, he noted, led to increased operational capacity, the extraction of more than 2,000 meters of core samples for enhanced reservoir studies, and upgrades to data transmission systems.

He also highlighted the successful development of a domestically built data transmission software, which has significantly reduced dependency on foreign platforms and contributed to greater technological self-sufficiency.

Among key modernization efforts, Shojaei pointed to the acquisition and deployment of two mobile oil treatment (M.O.T) units, four new nitrogen pumping units, and 10 cement pumping units, all of which have substantially improved drilling efficiency and productivity.

Focus on skilled workforce, global standards

On the human resources front, Shojaei noted that the company has bolstered its technical workforce by recruiting young and skilled professionals through a nationwide exam administered by the Ministry of Petroleum.

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of adhering to international standards in the drilling industry. “Reducing operational risks and maximizing domestic capabilities are imperative,” he said. “The company’s development-oriented vision — grounded in the continuous enhancement of equipment, knowledge, and human resources — is positioning us as a regional leader in technical drilling services.” - Shana