The weekend agreements cover geophysics, geochemistry, unconventional hydrocarbon resources and drilling fluids, the Oil Ministry news agency Shana reported.
One of the deals relates to seismic cube quantitative interpretation in the south of Abadan in southwestern Khuzestan Province. It was signed by the NIOCED and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.
The 15-month contract should propose local modern methods of quantitative studies and reservoir characterization, according to Financial Tribune.
Second phase of the project with Tehran University calls for sharing technical knowledge on the exploration of unconventional oil (shale oil) in the Qali Kuh region in western Lorestan Province.
This contract has a 48-month expiry date, and a European university with more than 90 years of experience in the oil shale industry will collaborate as international consultant and partner.
Iran’s shale oil reserves are estimated at two billion barrels of light crude in Lorestan.
The new project provides the basis for developing the shale industry with the help of a comprehensive exploration program.
University of Tehran and NIOCED also agreed to pool minds for producing of 10,000 barrels of high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) water-based drilling fluid (WBF). The project is valid for 18 months.
The WBF will be used for drilling HPHT deep exploration wells and replace oil-based fluids.
In recent years oil-based drilling fluid has gained traction but due to environmental concerns water-based drilling fluids are back. The added advantage is that WBFs are cheaper.
Search for Hydrocarbon Reservoirs
One agreement involves geochemical study of hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Dehram Group in southern Fars Province.
Dehram Group comprises the Kangan and Dalan formations that together have created a joint oil and gas reservoir.
The contract was signed with Pars Geology Research Center, a knowledge-based company and a European university will cooperate as an international partner and advisor.
Expected to be completed in 18 months, the study seeks to assess the probability of hydrocarbon sources at lower depths in the Dehram reservoir.
The upstream oil sector, aka exploration and production sector, includes prospecting for underground or subsea crude oil and natural gas fields, drilling exploratory wells and subsequently operating the wells that recover and bring crude oil and raw natural gas to the surface.
Pursuant to surveys and explorations over the past few years, 40 blocks have been identified.
Untapped hydrocarbon reserves are huge and the government is making effort to encourage the private companies to join.
The NIOCED, at the helm of the oil industry chain value, is crucial for recognizing and discovery of gas and oil.
Exploration of mega fields including Azadegan, South Pars, Yadavaran, and Kish are among the recent achievements of the company.