The project manager of phases 17 & 18 of the South Pars announced 61 percent progress in drillings in these two phases saying: "A total of over 53,000 cubic meters has been drilled in these two phases by now."IRNA quoted Alireza Layeji as saying that: "The National Iranian Oil Company is committed to do research in the fields of identifying the geological layers, engineering and drilling planning, supplying goods, materials, and drilling equipment as well as managing and supervising the performance of the projects."

He noted that the National Iranian Drilling Company is committed to the drilling of 27 wells out of 44, of which 22 wells (11 wells in each platform) are to be drilled on two platforms.

According to the obligation of the National Iranian Drilling Company, the client may add 6 more wells to the 5 wells remained from the 27-well tender, in order to start the drilling of these 11 wells by launching an additional platform.It is planned to complete the project related to the development of phases 17 and 18, until the end of the Iranian calendar month of Azar 1391 (Dec. 2012) during which 25 developmental and deviational wells as well as two delineation wells are to be drilled, he said.

The project manager of phases 17 and 18 of the South Pars in the National Iranian Drilling Company announced the estimated cost for development of these phases to be over a billion Dollars. "About 59 percent of this amount has been spent so far to perform this project," he said.

He further explained that 94 percent of the required goods and material related to phases 17 and 18 of the South Pars has been purchased from reliable international companies in accordance with the specified standards, and that there exist no problems considering the supply of goods and material.