The meeting brought together members of the Iranian Gas Engineering Association, senior executives from Iran's oil and gas industry, the Secretary of the Government's Scientific, Technology and Smartization Commission, experts in geology and geophysics, and academic specialists. Discussions focused on the technical, engineering, and economic aspects of oil and gas production from Iran's shale resources, with particular emphasis on the Azadegan Shared Oil Field. Participants also examined national and international experience in the development of conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources, with a particular focus on enhancing oil and gas recovery factors.
Opening the meeting, Mahmoud Aminnejad, CEO of DACO, outlined the Company's integrated development strategy for the Azadegan Field and emphasized the importance of leveraging the capabilities of academic institutions, research organizations, and professional associations throughout the development of hydrocarbon fields.
He stated:
"The sustainable development of Iran's oil and gas industry requires the highest level of collaboration between the executive sector, universities, and specialized scientific organizations. Such cooperation can significantly facilitate access to advanced enhanced recovery technologies and accelerate the development of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources."
Referring to DACO's achievements during the previous four months in advancing the Azadegan Field Development Project, particularly within the framework of the Field Target Plan (FTP), Aminnejad identified structured engagement with scientific experts and the integration of research findings into technical decision-making as key pillars of the Company's development strategy.
During the technical sessions, members of the Strategic Committee reviewed international experience in shale resource development, particularly the United States' approach to unconventional oil and gas production, and assessed the potential applicability of these experiences to Iran's geological conditions. Discussions focused on the geological and geomechanical characteristics of the Kazhdumi Formation within the Azadegan Field, including reservoir rock quality, organic matter content, permeability conditions, and the formation's potential for shale hydrocarbon production.
Participants emphasized that, as one of the world's largest holders of hydrocarbon reserves and one of the leading countries in proven natural gas resources, Iran possesses substantial potential for expanding both conventional resource development and its share of regional energy markets. In this context, the Azadegan Shared Oil Field, the country's largest shared oil field, was recognized as having the strategic capacity to become a national center for the development of advanced shale oil and gas production technologies and enhanced hydrocarbon recovery methods.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of developing indigenous shale reservoir development models, adopting advanced drilling and well completion technologies, strengthening geophysical studies, and integrating reservoir data into comprehensive development workflows. Participants concluded that the systematic development of unconventional resources could enhance Iran's long-term energy security, help meet growing domestic demand for natural gas in residential and industrial sectors without relying on imports, diversify the country's hydrocarbon production portfolio, and reinforce Iran's strategic position in the global energy market.
🌐Public Relations and International Affairs Department