{"id":14799,"date":"2025-07-16T04:02:22","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T04:02:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roydadnaft.ir\/English\/?p=14799"},"modified":"2025-07-16T04:02:22","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T04:02:22","slug":"drilling-fleet-productivity-nears-80","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roydadnaft.ir\/English\/14799\/","title":{"rendered":"Drilling fleet productivity nears 80%"},"content":{"rendered":"

RoydadNaft – <\/a><\/span>\u00a0The deputy CEO of the National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) for drilling operations put the drilling fleet productivity at 78% and announced a 9.1% reduction in standby time during the first quarter of this year. He stated that these achievements were made possible through domestic capabilities, coordinated planning, and centralized management.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Hamidreza Shafiei-Makvand highlighted NIDC\u2019s role in executing the country\u2019s drilling projects, noting that as a subsidiary of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), NIDC plays a pivotal role with its fleet of 74 drilling rigs (71 onshore and three offshore).<\/p>\n

He said the drilling rig productivity rate reached 78% in the first quarter of the Iranian calendar year 1404 (started March 2025), showing significant growth compared to last year\u2019s average of 68%. The rigs operate at various operational levels, he added.<\/p>\n

Regarding the company\u2019s fleet, Shafiei Moghadam noted that 64 rigs with 2,000-horsepower capacity, five with 1,000-horsepower, three with 1,500-horsepower, and one with 3,000-horsepower are currently active. Additionally, one of the company\u2019s unique offshore rigs is diagonally installed on the Iranian Offshore Oil Company\u2019s platform, a rare technical feat in the country.<\/p>\n

\n

Reduction in standby time: A historic record<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Shafiei-Makvand said NIDC operates in oil-rich provinces such as Khuzestan, Fars, Ilam, Kermanshah, and Khorasan, with 64 rigs currently active. The National Iranian South Oil Company holds 42 of these rigs, while the rest serve other contractors, including the Iranian Offshore Oil Company, Arvandan Oil & Gas Company, and EPC\/EPD projects.<\/p>\n

When asked about the number of wells drilled this year, he said 41 wells were completed and delivered to clients in the first four months, marking a 46% increase compared to the same period last year (28 wells). Last year, 100 wells were drilled in total\u201424 for development and 76 for workover operations.<\/p>\n

He added that standby time decreased from 14.6% last year to 9.1%, a historic record for the company, attributing the improvement to process optimization, continuous rig performance monitoring, and innovative solutions.<\/p>\n

\n

Overcoming sanctions through domestic capabilities<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

In response to a question about NIDC\u2019s equipment modernization plans, Shafiei-Makvand said the company is implementing a comprehensive program to refurbish inactive rigs, conduct overhauls, and upgrade rigs with new technologies using allocated funds. The goal is to reduce equipment downtime, boost productivity, and align technical standards with international benchmarks.<\/p>\n

He noted that about 17,500 people work at NIDC, which relies on skilled manpower to meet the country\u2019s drilling needs. Training programs are also underway to enhance employees\u2019 technical expertise.<\/p>\n

Despite international sanctions, a significant portion of drilling equipment and parts have been domestically manufactured, he said, emphasizing that collaboration with local contractors and producers has been key to the industry\u2019s stability and growth.<\/p>\n

In closing, Shafiei-Makvand thanked NIDC employees, many of whom work in remote locations away from their families, and expressed hope that their efforts would be recognized with continued support from oil industry officials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Updated on