Iranian Central Oil Fields Company (ICOFC) has tendered the project management consultant (PMC) contract for the development of three onshore oil fields.

Interested companies have been asked to submit bids to oversee the development of the Kouh Rig, Shoroum and Dodrou fields by 22 December, according to Tehran-based information service IranOilGas. The fields are located about 200 kilometres onshore from the Gulf in southwestern Iran.

The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the estimated IR8bn ($651m) development was reportedly awarded to the local Sina Energy Development Company in late 2010. Russian group Gazprom had previously been in discussions with Iran over developing the fields.

ICOFC is one of the five major oil and gas producers under the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).

US-led sanctions against Iran’s oil sector have hampered investment in Iranian oil field development and caused a significant drop in crude exports from the Islamic Republic. However, state media has reported that several key energy projects are still moving ahead.