Kamal Daneshyar added that a preliminary study for developing the Mansouri field, which is a subset of a bigger plan known as ‘eight fields, has been completed. “Implementation of the plan for increasing production from eight oil fields in south Iran will increase oil output by an overall 400,000 barrels per day. About 150,000 barrels of the figure would be related to the Mansouri field if gas was injected into the wells. Otherwise, the field would account for only 100,000 barrels,” he said. Daneshyar noted that oil production from Asmari reservoir of the Mansouri field was 50,000 barrels a day at the beginning of the preliminary study (2002). “The production hike will be carried out by taking advantage of two production units, each with a capacity of 75,000 barrels, a desalination and a gas injection unit as well as drilling 10 new wells and will earn the country $15 billion in 15 years,” he said. The ‘eight field project is currently being carried out in eight oil fields including Parsi, Kerenj, Shadegan, Mansouri (Asmari), Gachsaran, Pazenan, Rag Sefid and Maroun (Bangestan). Asmari reservoir was discovered in 1963 and started production in 1974.