SHANA -- The National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) has about to complete sinking 23 development wells at South Azadegan Oilfield, an NIDC official said.

According to NIDC, Mohammad Khavarinejad said 98% progress has been made in drilling 23 wells in the development of South Azadegan oil field, adding: �Out of this number, drilling of 21 wells have been completed so far.�

He said NIDC has so far drilled 81,103 meters in the wells by using 9 drilling rigs.

Once completed, the wells will be handed over to the Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC), as the operator of the field, for operation and oil production, he said.

So far, the National Iranian Drilling Company has drilled 64 wells under turnkey contracts (EPDS) in the southern part of Azadegan oil field and is currently drilling 10 wells in the field.