SHANA- A senior official with the National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) voiced hope for finalization of agreements with the Italian Agip, Saipem and Drillmec companies.

Mohammadreza Takaidi, deputy head of National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC), made the remarks on the sidelines of the 14th exhibition on oil drilling equipment in Ahvaz in the southwestern province of Khuzestan.

He said NIDC plans to promote drilling efficiency in the South Azadegan Field by decreasing the number of hours to drill a certain number of meters.

NIDC aims to decrease drilling costs in 20 new oil wells expected to be drilled by the company in the future, the official added.

He pointed to presence of NIDC in tenders held in Iraq, Oman, Armenia and Kuwait and said NIDC would continue talks with the foreign companies to attend drilling projects in the region.

Speaking about inking Memorandum of Understanding with the Italian Agip, Saipem and Drillmec companies, Takaidi noted that "according to the cooperation document signed between us, we would continue negotiations for supplying the technical and financial requirements.

He voiced hope for finalization of cooperation document with these Italian companies in the near future.

Due to sanctions, Iran could not use modern drilling technologies in the past but it is necessary to use the new technologies for drilling in the post-sanctions era, Takaidi added.

He referred to decrease of drilling costs in the South Azadegan Field and said "We plan to drill 10 meters in an hour which is 5 meters per hour now."