NIDC Fast Tracking Indigenization of Equipment : National Iranian Drilling Company has indigenized 5,000 more drilling parts in collaboration with domestic manufacturers and engineers over the past two decades, the head of NIDC’s Technology and Engineering Department said.

“These parts account for almost 80% of the industry’s needs,” Behnoud Mansournezhad was quoted as saying by the National Iranian Oil Company’s news portal Monday. The indigenized equipment include drilling mud pumps, blowout preventers, traction motors, draw-works, drilling fluid recycling systems, mission centrifugal pumps, top drives, and drilling rig slow circulation rate pressure systems.

“Contracts have been signed with 360 local manufacturers for 600 pieces like electric brakes and casing wrench,” he said, adding that 75% of drilling and oil equipment producers are based in oil-rich Khuzestan Province and the rest are in Tehran, Isfahan, and Fars provinces.

A large number of drilling machinery cannot be imported due to the US sanctions, which should be a “blessing in disguise to convince domestic firms to enhance quality, an issue that has long been the subject of criticism because the companies have lagged behind international standards.

The new manufacturing contracts have created 5,000 jobs in southern regions. Some of the new items are being used in downhole and in horizontal drilling for the first time.

Elaborating on the production of the 20-inch retrievable test treat squeeze, a full opening, hook wall type packer that segregates bidirectional pressure used in testing, treating and squeeze cementing operations, he said, “The piece was manufactured under the direct supervision of NIDC’s engineers in Khuzestan Province. It is also used in Azadegan Oilfield casings.”

According to the NIDC news portal, out of the 1.2 million equipment required by the oil and gas industry, almost 800,000 are produced domestically. Source: FinancialTribune