NIOC Assigns 14 Research Projects to Universities
Iran’s petroleum industry has made great achievements in terms of research and technology, research and development, transfer of technology, and domestic manufacturing. However, it is still looking for more effective and more efficient solutions in the technological sector. Since two years ago, a greater role was envisaged for universities and research centers to conduct studies at oil fields and exploration zones.
To further learn about research projects in the petroleum industry, "Iran Petroleum" has interviewed Ebrahim Alavai Taleqani, the acting head of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Directorate of Research and Technology.
Where does research stand at NIOC?
One of the main missions assigned to NIOC has been upgrading technology and transferring it from proprietors to the upstream sector, in which case requirements are enshrined in governing documents and numerous laws including national scientific roadmap, resilient economy, 6th five-year economic development plan as well as the annual budget bill. Over the past year, we have managed to fulfill these obligations to a large extent. Of course I believe that the main players in the development of technology in the upstream oil sector are NIOC, Ministry of Petroleum, universities, knowledge-based companies, Office of Vice-President for Science and Technology, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, scientific associations, oil equipment manufacturing companies, consulting engineering companies, E&P companies, innovation funds, and parks of science and technology among others. Together they constitute Iran’s petroleum industry. Therefore, coordination and integration among the pillars of this industry is a must which have focused upon because we believe that otherwise we will not succeed. This machine will not keep running as long as all components and parts are not mounted.
To what extent have NIOC directors envisaged research as a priority?
We believe that research is a priority for NIOC management. But the point is that priorities are determined based on financial issues and national conditions like selling oil and securing payments. Therefore, we cannot say that research is more prioritized than the foregoing issues. Research is important, but not urgent. Fortunately, the new CEO of NIOC highlights the significance of research and technology and believes that cooperation with universities, and developments of technology are among priorities and what has already started should continue.
What are NIOC research priorities?
In a bid to define a mission for research and technology at NIOC and in the petroleum industry, we need to classify related affairs under the categories of infrastructure, projects, sponsoring student projects, knowledge-based companies, scientific associations and commercialization of achievements. One of these domains is infrastructure and we need to create the necessary infrastructure in compliance with law in order to facilitate ongoing affairs and the move would go ahead transparently. Therefore, infrastructure mainly pertains to instructions, rules and regulations as well as arrangements. To that effect, the Directorate of Research and Technology revised the Research Council at NIOC and we held a number of meetings. At the Research Council, we defined and approved instructions for the signature of contracts and won the approval of the Board of Directors. NIOC operational challenges which should be studied have been clarified and announced on the website. Furthermore, regulations for monitoring and arbitration and rules on how to engage arbiters, monitors and ad hoc committees have been outlined within the framework of infrastructure. We have also defined technological projects for the 6th Development Plan as well as projects that should be implemented under the national plan.
How many projects have been defined and how many have got under way now?
We have currently 14 megaprojects with universities for a ten-year period. They include nine field-oriented contracts and five exploration projects. In addition to these 14 megaprojects, we have envisaged a large number of projects with universities in 11 technology related sectors including environment, IT, earth sciences, reservoirs, reservoir management, drilling, etc. These projects have been approved by NIOC Board of Directors to help upgrade the level of technology at the company.
Which universities have field-oriented projects been assigned to?
There are currently nine field-oriented contracts under way. The arrangements for their implementation were made last year. In each of these projects, a university focuses on a specific field. The nine megaprojects are as follows: Kupal field to Sharif University of Technology, Soroush field to Sahand University of Technology, Azadegan field to the Petroleum Institute of the University of Tehran, Mansouri field to the University of Shirazi, Darquain field to Amir Kabir University of Technology, Kananj field to Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz field to Research Institute of Petroleum Industry, Gachsaran field to Petroleum University of Technology and Bibi Hakimieh field to EOR Research Center.
What companies are the other parties in the contracts with universities?
The other parties to the contracts in the nine megaprojects include subsidiaries of National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC) with six contracts, Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC) with one contract, Arvandan Oil and Gas Production Company with one contract and Petroleum Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC) with one contract.
Would you please tell us about the procedures for the implementation of the nine megaprojects?
These projects are divided into five packages. The first package is practically over or is under way. For instance, the Sahand University of Technology has finished its second package and we are following up on the third package. The University of Tehran is finishing its second package.
How have these megaprojects contributed to job creation?
The interesting point in these contracts is that for each contract four persons from technical and operational divisions of subsidiary companies, outside research, are engaged in the specialized working committees. In other words, in field-oriented contracts, 36 petroleum engineers and production engineers are involved, while in exploration technology contracts, 20 persons have been engaged so that the research projects would not be limited by boundaries and become applicable. Also, some of our colleagues from the corporate planning unit are present in the steering committee. Therefore, all directorates, ranging from technical affairs to corporate planning have rushed to help research so that more practical research projects would be accomplished. Similar conditions are prevailing at universities. From each university, at least 10 are present in the projects. Totally, 140 (exploration technology development contracts included) faculty members of universities are actively present in the projects, working on separate fields.