Nicosia, July 31 (ANI): In the course of this month, the Iranian Minister of Petroleum Gholamhossein Nozari announced three significant oil discoveries in the south-west of the country.

Currently, Iran is the second largest producer among the countries of OPEC, behind Saudi Arabia.

The latest discovery was made near the city of Abadan. The estimated oil-in-place amounts to 500 million barrels.

Nozari said the new oilfield would be called Arvand.

On July 20, the Petroleum Minister said that the National Iranian Oil Company had made a discovery in the coastal city of Assaluyeh, in an area, which previously yielded only gas.

The estimated oil in place is 525 million barrels.

On July 13, Nozari said that Iran has made a new big discovery in Andimeshk in the province of Khuzestan, with recoverable reserves estimated at 233 million barrels and 1.1. Billion total crude reserves.

The new discoveries are giving credibility to Irans claims that it will increase its output by 0.1 million barrels a day by next March. (ANI)