This will include more efficient exploitation of reservoirs including the use of gas injection and the development of offshore fields shared with neighbouring countries.

Jashnsaz, who has headed National Iranian South Oil Company (Nisoc) a NIOC subsidiary since early 2006, was appointed by Oil Minister Gholamhossain Nozari at the weekend.

Nozari, who ran NIOC until his own elevation to the ministry in late 2007, had recently indicated to Upstream that he might keep his old post.

Jashnsaz