with regard to holding new round of bidding, NIOC's director of exploration told Shana correspondent that in order to bidding some exploratory blocks a great part of the necessary documents have been provided and it is expected eight oil and gas blocks to put in tender internationally.
Concerning exploratory operations in Saveh block in the central part of Iran Mr Mohaddes said drilling in the block implies existence of natural gas.
He also said the exploratory operations are underway in Faror area in the Persian Gulf and some wells have been drilled to the depth of 4360 meters. He went on to say that the company intends to continue its exploratory drillings in two or three areas in the region.
Concerning gas hydrates resources in the Oman Sea, NIOC's director of exploration notes that even though exploitation of the resources is in its early stage, we have started some joint studies with some research centers but assuming the process takes time.
The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has discovered nineteen oil fields and eight gas fields worth of 633 billion dollars during the Fourth Five-Year plan (2005 – 2009). The success rate of exploration in the second Five-Year Plan was 57, the Third Five-Year plan 79 and the Fourth Five-Years Plan 79/2 percent.