Mehr News Agency reported that oil discovery excavation operations in Dayyer block, the first block among 17 discovered blocks belonging to Iran in the Persian Gulf will be carried out by Italian Edison Company by the end of March 2010.

SHANA news agency quoted Mr Hossein Roshandel an official of the National Iranian Oil Company stating in an interview that initial studies on Dayyer block have been done by the Italian firm and the area where excavations will take place has been determined.

Mr Hossein Roshandel said that the tender for the procurement of excavation equipment is finished and currently the tender for excavation rigs is underway.

The contract for the development of Dayyer block was signed in January 2008 between NIOC and Edison firm with an investment of USD 107 million for excavation.

(Sourced from Mehr News Agency)