"We've unearthed a new oilfield at a depth of 1000 metres. We have drilled three wells that will enable us to pump 35,000 barrels per day," Assadollah Salehiforouz, director of the state-run Pars Oil and Gas Company, was quoted to have said.

"Further development of the field will boost production to 100,000 bpd," he said.

Further details were not immediately available. Aside from its 464 trillion cubic feet (13.14 trillion cubic metres) gas reserves, the offshore South Pars gas field also holds an unknown amount of oil.