Naftkav Zharf

What Naftkav Zharf does

Naftkav Zharf (شرکت مهندسی و خدمات نفتکاو ژرف) is a privately held Iranian oil and gas drilling and engineering services contractor, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Tehran with an operations and support base in Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province. The company was the first private-sector entrant in Iran's upstream oil and gas drilling industry and operates as a B2B services provider to NIOC and its state-owned affiliates, delivering drilling, engineering, and HDD pipeline crossing projects under tender-based EPDS and direct-negotiation contracts.

Its core asset base is three 2000 HP onshore drilling rigs — NK-101 (Lee-C-Moore type, refurbished 2023), NK-102 (Pyramid type, under refurbishment), and NK-103 (K-type front open, built 2008, refurbished 2021) — each rated to approximately 6,000 m drilling depth with CAT D399/CAT 3512B engine packages, BPM DQ70BSC top drives, and AC-SCR-DC power systems. These rigs are complemented by a 70,000 sqm Ahvaz yard with 1,500 sqm of covered warehouse, multiple workshops, and 5,000+ spare parts SKUs, plus a fleet of cranes, forklifts, generators, welding machines, and air compressors.

Revenue is generated through five service streams: rig rental with or without crew, integrated EPDS (Engineering, Procurement, Drilling, Services) project delivery, engineering and reservoir/geological studies, tools and equipment rental, and construction/repair services for drilling equipment. Customers are exclusively Iranian state-owned petroleum enterprises — including NIOC subsidiaries such as Engineering and Development of Oil Company, Central Oil Areas Company, Caspian Oil Company, Arvandan Oil and Gas, Exploration Management, National Iranian Drilling Company, North Drilling Company, Offshore Oil and Gas Operations Company, and Marine Operation Company — plus midstream clients (Jahanpars Mapna, Iran Oil Pipelines and Telecommunications Company) for HDD river crossings, and one international engagement with AL-JOWF in Libya. The company holds IADC membership and ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, and ISO 29001:2020 certifications, and operates through two wholly-owned subsidiaries (Rah Pouyan Energy Company Kish and Varian Industrial Drilling Company).

Name

Naftkav Zharf

Legal name

شرکت مهندسی و خدمات نفتکاو ژرف (Naftkav Zharf Engineering and Services Company)

Website

https://naftkav.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Naftkav Zharf is an Iranian privately held oil and gas drilling contractor operating three 2000 HP onshore rigs, serving NIOC affiliates with drilling, EPDS, reservoir studies, and HDD pipeline crossing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oil and Gas Drilling Services

NAICS

Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333132), Oil and Gas Pipeline and Related Structures Construction (237120), Engineering Services (54133), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Drilling Oil & Gas Wells (1381), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389), Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment (3533), Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUALABAA

Drilling & Workover Rigs (Land & Offshore)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Oil & Gas (Upstream, Midstream, Downstream and Refining)/Oilfield Services & Drilling (OFS)

SECONDARYEUALAAAC

Field Development Planning & Subsurface Reservoir Engineering

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Oil & Gas (Upstream, Midstream, Downstream and Refining)/Upstream Exploration & Production (E&P)

SECONDARYEUALABAK

Seismic & Geoscience Services (Acquisition, Processing, Interpretation)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Oil & Gas (Upstream, Midstream, Downstream and Refining)/Oilfield Services & Drilling (OFS)

SECONDARYEUALABAL

Oilfield Equipment Manufacturing & Supply (Wellheads, BOPs, Surface Equipment)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Oil & Gas (Upstream, Midstream, Downstream and Refining)/Oilfield Services & Drilling (OFS)

SECONDARYEUAEAGAF

Oil & Gas Midstream & Pipeline O&M (Pipelines, Compressor Stations)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Energy Infrastructure & Services (EPC, O&M, Field Services)/Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Services for Energy Assets

Keywords

• Oil and gas drilling
• Drilling rig services
• Engineering consulting
• Pipeline construction
• Upstream oil services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tehran

HQ country

Iran

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Drilling Rig Rental and Operations: Rental of 2000 HP onshore drilling rigs with or without crew for exploratory, developmental, and repair oil and gas wells. Includes management, steering, and supervision services for drilling rigs.
2. Engineering and Studies Services: Reservoir engineering studies, geological studies, comprehensive field development plans, and drilling engineering services provided to oil and gas companies under EPDS and consulting contracts.
3. EPDS (Engineering, Procurement, Drilling, Services) Projects: Integrated project delivery model covering field development from study through drilling and completion, including supply of downhole and surface goods for oil and gas wells.
4. Tools and Equipment Rental: Rental of balance tools, drilling pipe and accessories (fittings, weight pipe, stabilizers, handling tools), eruption control and pressure reducer equipment, solution tanks and barite/cement silos.
5. Construction and Repair Services: Basic repairs, installation, and commissioning of drilling rig equipment (draw works, mud pumps, solids control, compressors), design and construction of drilling mud tanks, water tanks, baskets, and vaults.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Naftkav Zharf is an Iranian oil and gas drilling contractor and engineering services provider that operates three 2000 HP onshore drilling rigs (NK-101, NK-102, NK-103) for exploratory, developmental, and repair oil and gas wells. It also delivers reservoir and field development studies, EPDS (Engineering, Procurement, Drilling, Services) integrated projects, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) for pipeline river crossings, tools and equipment rental, construction and repair services, and skilled manpower supply to Iranian national oil companies and select international clients.

Product overview

Naftkav Zharf (نفتکاو ژرف) Engineering and Oil Services Company operates as a unified portfolio of oil and gas field services rather than a single product platform. The core offering centers on three 2000 HP land-based drilling rigs (NK-101, NK-102, and NK-103), which serve as the primary assets complemented by four service lines: rig rental and management services, development services and EPDS (Engineering, Procurement, Drilling, Services) projects, construction and repair services, and tools and equipment rental. Supporting these are studies and engineering services (geological, reservoir, and field development studies), pipeline and HDD (horizontal directional drilling) services, and a fleet of operational equipment and machinery. The company also maintains an operations base in Ahvaz (70,000 sqm facility) and two subsidiaries — Rah Pouyan Energy Company Kish (rig management and technical services) and Varian Industrial Drilling Company (design, consulting, and procurement for drilling projects). The subsidiary portfolio broadens Naftkav's reach into rig management, technical engineering, and drilling project design while the parent company's three rigs and service divisions handle execution across upstream and downstream oil and gas projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NK-101 Drilling Rig A 2000 HP Lee-C-Moore type onshore drilling rig with 6000 m rated depth used for drilling exploratory, developmental, and repair oil and gas wells on behalf of the company's enterprise clients.
• NK-102 Drilling Rig A 2000 HP Pyramid type onshore drilling rig with 6000 m rated depth used for drilling oil and gas wells on behalf of enterprise clients; currently undergoing refurbishment.
• NK-103 Drilling Rig A 2000 HP (1470 KW) K-type front open onshore drilling rig constructed in 2008 and refurbished in 2021, used for drilling and completing oil and gas wells.
• Having Rigs Services (Rig Rental and Operations) Rental of 2000 HP onshore drilling rigs with or without crew for drilling and completing exploratory, developmental, and repair oil and gas wells, plus management, steering, and supervision of drilling rigs and supply of skilled and semi-skilled manpower. Targeted at Iranian national oil companies and their subsidiaries.
• Development Services and EPDS Projects Reservoir engineering and geological studies, comprehensive oil and gas field development plans, supply of downhole and surface goods for oil and gas wells, and integrated wellsite ancillary services delivered under EPDS contracts. Targeted at national oil companies undertaking field development.
• Construction and Repair Services Basic repairs, installation, and commissioning of drilling rig equipment (draw works, mud pumps, solids control, compressors); design and construction of drilling mud tanks, water tanks, baskets, and vaults; repair, service, and testing of blast control systems, choke manifolds, and hydraulic controls. Serves drilling operators and project owners.
• Tools and Equipment Rental Services Rental of balance tools, drilling pipe and accessories (fittings, weight pipe, stabilizers, handling tools), eruption control and pressure reducer equipment, solution tanks, and barite/cement silos. Targeted at drilling operators requiring specialized equipment.
• Studies and Engineering Services Geological and geotechnical surveying, reservoir studies and simulation, well logging, directional drilling studies, and comprehensive oil and gas field development planning. Targeted at oil and gas companies needing pre-drilling engineering inputs.
• Pipeline and HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling) Services Engineering, detailed design, and execution of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) projects for pipeline crossings under rivers and infrastructure, including survey, geology, geotechnical studies, and construction for 4" to 36" diameter pipelines. Targeted at pipeline operators and EPC contractors.
• Drilling Operations Onshore drilling and completion of oil and gas wells — exploratory, developmental, and repair wells — performed under EPDS (Engineering, Procurement, Drilling, Services) contracts. Targeted at national oil companies and their affiliates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 375 days of continuous operation without incident
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered subsidiary.

• Rah Pouyan Energy Company Kish (انرژی ره پویان کیش)subsidiaryOthersActive organization in oil and gas well drilling providing related services including rig management, technical and engineering services, mobile drilling tools, spare parts supply, human resources, and more. Operates as a subsidiary of Naftkav Zharf.
• Varian Industrial Drilling Company (حفار صنعت واریان)subsidiaryOthersProvides design, consulting, technical supervision, and equipment procurement for oil and gas well drilling projects onshore and offshore. Also handles import/export of authorized commercial goods, LC credits, loans, and participates in domestic and international exhibitions. Operates as a subsidiary of Naftkav Zharf.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC): Iran's largest state-owned onshore and offshore drilling contractor with a fleet of 70+ rigs. They serve the same NIOC-affiliated clients with overlapping EPDS and well-completion services; Naftkav is actually a rig supplier to NIDC, making it both partner and competitor.
• North Drilling Company: Iranian state-owned drilling contractor that operates 2000 HP rigs and rents them to NIOC affiliates. Naftkav has supplied rigs to North Drilling on the Azadegan South field, indicating direct overlap in fleet type, customers, and service scope.

Regional players

• ADES International Holding: MENA-focused offshore and onshore drilling contractor headquartered in the UAE/UK, serving national oil companies across the Middle East and North Africa. Comparable asset-heavy rig rental model to NOC clients and similar geographic exposure.
• Arabian Drilling Company: Saudi Arabia-listed onshore and offshore drilling contractor with a fleet of 50+ rigs serving national oil companies across the MENA region. Highly comparable in business model (rig rental + integrated services to NOCs) and provides a regional benchmark for asset-heavy private drilling economics.
• Shelf Drilling: Dubai-based shallow-water offshore drilling contractor operating jack-up rigs across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and India. Comparable as a regional rig owner serving NOCs, though focused on offshore jack-ups rather than onshore.

Broad incumbents

• China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL): China's largest integrated oilfield services company offering drilling rigs, well services, and geophysical surveys globally. Highly comparable on integrated EPDS-style service delivery and operates drilling rigs at scale in sanctions-impacted jurisdictions.
• Weatherford International: Global oilfield services company with drilling, evaluation, and completions portfolio. Operates extensively in the Middle East and CIS region, overlapping with Naftkav's NOC customer base.
• Schlumberger (SLB): Global oilfield services leader covering drilling, evaluation, and production. Relevant for benchmarking integrated EPDS, drilling engineering, and reservoir studies services delivered to NOCs worldwide.
• Halliburton: Largest US-based oilfield services company with deep drilling, completions, and integrated solutions offerings. Includes comparable drilling engineering and integrated project management services for NOCs.
• Saipem: Italian-based oilfield services and engineering contractor active in drilling, EPCI, and pipelines — comparable for midstream pipeline HDD/crossings, drilling services, and EPDS-style integrated contracts in Iran and MENA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/naftkavzharf

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Naftkav Zharf