Major Onshore Gas Discovery in Iran’s Pazan Field

The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has announced the discovery of the Pazan Field, the country’s largest onshore gas field, located in Fars Province. The Minister of Petroleum described this as one of the most significant exploration achievements in recent years and noted that it will play a key role in addressing Iran’s future gas supply gap.

Strategic Location and Exploration Background

The Pazan Field is situated approximately 177 kilometers south of Shiraz, 65 kilometers north of Assaluyeh, and northeast of Jam County, in an area known for its complex geology and high hydrocarbon potential.

The first exploratory well was drilled in 2015 by the Exploration Directorate of NIOC using the Dana-1 rig, operated at the time by Petro Rig. After a detailed geological reassessment and updated exploration planning, the second exploratory well was drilled by Dana Energy Drilling Operations with the Dana-1 rig to a depth of around 4,600 meters. Final well tests confirmed the presence of significant reserves of natural gas, gas condensate, and light crude oil.

Technical and Economic Highlights

According to NIOC’s Exploration Manager, the gas in place at the Pazan Field is estimated at 10 trillion cubic feet (TCF), which makes it one of the largest onshore gas discoveries in Iran.
The oil in place is estimated at over 200 million barrels, and the total economic value of the field, based on an average global gas price of 30 cents per cubic meter, is projected to exceed 100 billion US dollars.

Global Recognition and Strategic Impact

The announcement of the Pazan discovery has received wide international coverage from outlets such as Reuters, RIA Novosti, OilPrice, Al Mayadeen, Caspian News, and The Energy Year. Analysts believe this milestone demonstrates Iran’s renewed technical and operational capabilities in exploration. Beyond its strategic importance for national energy security, the Pazan Field is expected to boost sustainable development in southern Iran and attract new investment to the region.

Dana Energy’s Role in the Project

The successful drilling of the second exploratory well by Dana Energy Drilling Operations, using the Dana-1 rig, reflects the company’s deep technical expertise, steady operational excellence, and dedication to mastering complex upstream projects. This success marks a genuine turning point in Iran’s exploration history, where knowledge, experience, and innovation come together to drive new possibilities in the nation’s oil and gas sector. It also stands as a defining milestone in Dana Energy’s collaboration with national partners and a confident step toward strengthening Iran’s position in the global energy landscape.