Managing director of Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC) Noureddin Shahnazizadeh said, "Currently, over 350,000 barrels per day of oil is being produced from the joint fields of the West Karoon and Azar."

In an interview with Oil & Gas Magazine, the official elaborated on PEDEC's plans for developing the fields and its priorities, saying, "Our priority is focused on the development of joint fields. The largest fields are located in the West Karoon region, among which are Yadavaran, North and South Azadegan and the North and South Yaran plays. Another priority field is Azar Field, which is located in the western province of Ilam. At present, 350,000 barrels per day are being produced from these fields and the target is to reach 380,000 barrels by March 2018."

Shahnazizadeh touched on Azadegan oilfield, saying: The play consists of four different reservoirs, namely Sarvak, Kazhdumi, Gadvan and Fahliyan structures. According to studies, the plays hold 30 billion barrels of crude oil in place. The goal is to develop this field in accordance with the newly-developed oil contracts with international oil companies. PEDEC has invited international oil companies to participate in the tender for development of Azadegan Field. The winner in the tender will form a consortium with the domestic E&P companies. Negotiations are ongoing and we are in the final stages of preparing the final articles of potential contracts. This field will be expanded with the use of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies to maximize its output."