A report issued by the Public Relations Department of NISOC quoted Nosratollah Espiari as saying that studies on Asmari reservoir of Ahvaz and Maroun reservoir were underway by NISOC experts. "Comprehensive studies on Bibi Hakimeh reservoir as well as Asmari reservoir of Ahvaz and Maroun reservoir are currently underway by Oil Industry Research Institute in cooperation with the Norwegian Statoil Company," he said. The official stated that usually a team comprising specialists on reservoirs, petrophysics, geology, drilling, processing and production supervise such studies. Explaining on the cost of studies, the managing director noted that to protect the interests of the National Iranian Oil Company all costs would be reimbursed after substantiation of studies, presentation of relevant development plan and final confirmation by supervising specialists. He opined that the resultant costs were a normal figure compared to similar studies carried out elsewhere in the world.