Iranian, Russian firms begin drilling in Khuzestan’s Kupal oilfield
Iran has launched an international drilling project at the Kupal oilfield with the participation of a Russian company and an Iranian firm, aiming to boost production capacity, improve recovery rates and support the field’s sustainable development.
According to Shana, citing the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), the official start of operations has been described as a new chapter of effective international engagement in Iran’s oil industry.
The project, located in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan Province, is considered one of the strategic plans in Iran’s upstream oil sector and is seen as an important step toward expanding international cooperation, facilitating technology transfer and utilizing advanced drilling technologies.
Senior technical and executive managers from the Iranian and Russian sides attended the inauguration ceremony, underlining the project’s strategic importance and the determination of both parties to ensure its successful implementation.
Oil industry officials said the launch of the project is the result of coordinated planning and mutual trust between Iranian and international partners.
They added that the Kupal project is not merely an operational undertaking but a strategic opportunity to enhance technical capabilities, expand specialized expertise and benefit from modern drilling technologies at the international level.
The presence of skilled human resources, experience in executing complex drilling projects, and strict adherence to safety, quality and scheduling requirements are expected to advance the project in line with the highest technical and operational standards.
The project has also been presented as a symbol of constructive, mutually beneficial cooperation between Iranian and Russian companies, with technology transfer, maximum use of domestic expertise and the development of shared capacities cited as its main pillars.
Kupal is a major onshore oil field in Khuzestan Province, discovered in 1965 and producing since 1970. It is operated by the NIOC, with current production around 93,000 barrels per day and estimated reserves of about 5.6 billion barrels.