Danish offshore exploration firm Maersk Oil is in a strong position to win a contract to produce ultra-light crude from Iran's South Pars gas field, according to an official at the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).

"Maersk has expressed its interest in the South Pars oil layer project. Several other foreign companies have been invited but none have given a decisive answer. They have neither rejected nor embraced the proposal," said Karim Zobeidi, NIOC deputy for planning.

The Danish firm would be awarded the contract if no other company comes forward, he added.

In August, Maersk Oil was acquired by French energy giant Total for $7.45bn.

Total has had a number of recent successes in the Iranian energy sector, having been awarded a nearly $5bn contract to develop phase 11 of South Pars in July. It is also believed to be in discussions to invest up to $2bn in the Iranian petrochemicals sector.

Following the South Pars deal, Total replaced long-time operator Maersk Oil as the operator of Qatar's Shaheen field in July. Maersk Oil's familiarity with oil exploration in the Gulf would act in its favour, Zobeidi added.

"Maersk has experience in this [offshore exploration and production], having developed the oil layer of the field on the other side," he added.

Production from the South Pars oil field currently stands at 12,000 barrels a day. Should Maersk be invited to develop the concession, production is expected to be boosted by up to five times on the current level.