According to Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC) website, project manager Eng. Hamid Karimi said that the operational phase of the oilfield's development project will take 18 months and the acquired seismological data will be processed and interpreted in next phase.

It is also expected that we would have a daily production of 7500 barrels of crude oil during this phase, he added.

Development project of Band Karkheh oilfield, 20 kilometer away from Ahwaz, started eight months ago and is funded with the internal sources of PEDEC, the company's public relations reported.

The development project is composed of identifying the oilfield, studies on the oil reservoir, setting up the development project of oilfield according to 3D seismological experiments, drilling of two new oil wells, and maintaining the Well 2 of the oilfield.

In addition to Khatam-ol Anbia, the contractor, Sahra Kav Engineering Company is responsible for supervision on 3D seismological operations, Karimi noted. "PetroAsmari International Company is also the engineering advisor of project in this phase."

"The environmental advisor of project has been also chosen", he added, "Once the 3D seismological and drilling operations are finished, the MDP of oilfield will be prepared."

All documents for tender of two new wells and maintenance of one field has been formulated and about 12 companies have participated in the tender, Karimi pointed out. "A contractor will be soon chosen for this phase to start its activities."

He added that tenders of constructing access roads and the well's area had been held and the contractors would be chosen during a few next weeks.

The in-situ oil of this oilfield is estimated to be about 4 billion barrels. It is expected that 40,000 bpd of crude oil can be recovered from this oilfield for 20 years.

TMM