First ‘Made in Iran’ Gas Turbine
Gas turbines are one of the main equipment used in the petroleum industry, particularly in production in the upstream sector. Solar gas turbine is the most widely used in the petroleum industry. Due to the high significance and utility of this key equipment in the petroleum industry, Iranian engineers have managed to indigenize and build the first solar turbine, known under trademark T-4502.
This turbine was ordered by National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC) and built by Turbine Machine Middle East Company.
Rokneddin Javadi, managing director of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), said in the ceremony organized for unveiling the first domestically manufactured gas turbine that Iran is now manufacturing more than 80% of petroleum industry equipment.
“Future projects of petroleum industry are based on domestic manufacturing potential and as long as domestic manufacturers are able to supply the equipment we will not import any equipment from foreign countries,” he said.
Javadi said the grounds are paved for reliance on domestic industry, adding that NIOC is supporting domestic manufacturers.
Regarding the construction of national gas turbine, he said: “This turbine is technically complete and has no shortages. In case competitive conditions are prepared, this turbine can rival foreign-made ones.”
Javadi said this turbine has been manufactured domestically under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum.
“Turbine is one of the most sophisticated equipment needed in the petroleum industry. But it is now built in Iran,” he added.
Regarding mass production of gas turbine and other NIOC projects, Javadi said: “Across the world, rotary machinery is manufactured for specific capacities and designs must be made based on these capacities.”
“For future projects of the petroleum industry, instructions have to be defined, based on which capacities are selected for rotary machinery,” he said.
Monopoly Lifted
Mohammad-Hossein Khandan, deputy head of NISOC, said the monopoly held by foreign companies on the manufacturing of gas turbine has been broken by Iranian companies.
“NISOC is century-old and gas turbines, which are key equipment in [oil-rich] regions, had long been supplied by foreign countries,” he said.
“Under conditions of sanctions, foreign companies did not even accept to remove technical problems and repair gas turbines in the country and they refused to supply key components. That resulted in the manufacturing of a strategic commodity in the petroleum industry and the end of monopoly on gas turbine manufacturing,” said Khandan.
He said that 3MW to 5MW gas turbines are among the most technologically important petroleum industry equipment in Iran.
Solar Centaur Gas Turbines
Hassan Helali, managing director of Turbine Machine Middle East Company, underlined Iran’s capability in manufacturing gas turbines of different classes. He said: “This class of gas turbines had not yet been manufactured in the country and now with this achievement, a major portion of needs of NISOC and many other companies would be met.”
Helali said Turbine Machine ME Company is receiving orders valued at IRR 350 billion to IRR 400 billion every year, adding that it is ready to receive up to IRR 1,600 billion orders.
He expressed hope that the potentialities of his company would be used in a more effective way.
Helali said Turbine Machine ME Company has so far delivered 430 types of products to the petroleum industry, including more than 30 turbines ordered by Tehran Kala Naft Company.
“Turbine Machine ME Company is currently planning to produce more than 33 turbines. In response to the petroleum industry needs, 10 to 15 turbines are currently under construction,” he said.
Helali said development of gas turbines plays a key role in the petroleum industry, adding: “Turbine Machine ME Company has moved to repair and produce gas turbine parts in recent years. After 13 years, it managed to produce all parts for this turbine and in the end, a national turbine was manufactured.”
The first Solar Centaur gas turbine, T4502, has been constructed for IRR 180 billion.
Due to international sanctions, it was difficult to purchase components for these turbines. Meantime, factories needed new turbines to run. But the domestic manufacturing of this gas turbine removed a major challenge in the country.
In total, there are 130 Solar Centaur turbines in the companies affiliated with Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum. NISOC holds 76. Among them, at least 30% of
T-4000 model need to be upgraded to T-4502.
After management pathology and expertise were done at NISOC, the necessity of indigenization of technology for domestic manufacturing of turbine came to sharp relief. In order to reduce risks and create a strategic attitude, the Supreme Council for Research of NISOC give green light to the indigenization of technical savvy and domestic manufacturing of T-4502 Solar Centaur gas turbine.
This turbine which underwent final tests and finally delivered to NISOC will be installed in a pressure gas booster station.