general assessment and on the strength of documents presented to that effect; at least 10 qualified companies are ready to act as outsource companies in the operation of gas compressor stations.
What has IGTC done with regard to self-sufficiency in the manufacturing of necessary equipment? What are its future plans?
Regarding self-sufficiency activities, more than 710 items of commodity, equipment and parts have thus far been domestically manufactured. Of this, 403 items pertain to valve mechanics, 196 in electricity and instrumentation and 109 items are associated with processing. As far as filters are concerned, more than IRR 200 billion has been annually saved. In the industrial oil production, more than IRR 212 billion has been saved annually. In 2019 only, domestically-made equipment worth IRR 40 billion was used. Future self-sufficiency plans envisaged by IGTC include drawing up a self-sufficiency roadmap, five-year self-sufficiency planning, sharing knowhow and technology achieved from all zones and subsidiaries, setting up specialized working groups on electricity and instrumentation, mechanics, processing and pipelines, identifying challenges and obstacles.
How is cooperation with knowledge-based and technological companies followed up on at IGTC?
In research and technology, more than 53 research projects worth IRR 103 billion have been carried out in partnership with universities and knowledge-based centers, while 26 research projects worth IRR 349 billion are under way. Cooperation with academic centers and knowledge-based companies is followed up on by the R&D Division of IGTC. Meantime, academic centers and knowledge-based companies are identified through specialized technomarkets held annually by National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), as well as R&D Demand and Supply System software. All research proposals that have been assessed based on IGTC needs, and approved by the IGTC Research Council have directly been instrumental in overcoming challenges and problems, significantly reduced costs and saved large amounts of hard currency. For instance, an IRR 240 billion major research project under way involves implementing a system to monitor Siemens turbines. Implementing this project would save IRR 32 billion in annual costs of rotary machinery maintenance for each turbocompressor unit.
What measures have IGTC taken to protect the environment and guarantee the safety of pipelines and installations?
The safety of gas trunklines is associated with the pipeline integrity management system (PIMS). This approach considers 21 common threats to gas trunklines in devising preventive measures, regular monitoring strategies. Some of these threats are corrosion, third party, and infringement of boundaries, security threats, natural disasters, stress corrosion cracking, and construction problems at pipelines. Some of the most important measures adopted against these threats are demarcation, patrolling, corrosion management, controlling maintenance, examining pipe coating, making gas pipelines resilient, class and route modifications, intelligent and cleaning pigging – all aimed at pipeline risk management and reducing consequences. To that effect, supervising the performance of contractors is a key element in IGTC activities within the HSE framework. Such supervision existed both at the time of drafting contract documents and during activity of contractors. Regarding the environment, by managing carbon emissions and reducing environmental pollutant emissions through preventive maintenance of equipment, greenhouse gas emissions are managed. Creating or modifying industrial and human waste systems, managing energy resources and optimizing consumption, and creating green space based on obligations are among the most important measures for protecting the environment. Recently, in the management of waste from origin and using zero waste index (ZWI) and determining emission coefficients, very effective measures have been taken, which would yield in the near future with positive economic and environmental results.
Anything else you would like to add?
Gas transmission is the beginning of outsourcing. Systemic attitude and the experience of implementation of Article 44 of the Constitution require us not to step into darkness through a high-risk route. However, one forgotten risk in similar experiences is the assessment of outsourcing potential and openness of the private sector to partnership. In order to assess these risks, identify potentialities and raise awareness of future strategic partners, companies specializing in the four sectors of operating compressor stations, operating pipelines, overhaul of rotary machinery and intelligent pigging were invited to identify themselves. Qualified companies were identified and separate meetings were held with the company managers. During the meetings, the labor market perspective, investment opportunities, contents of agreements and methods of assessment in tender bids were explained. The views of experienced contractors were applied with a view to minimizing partnership risks. Exemplary synergy was observed in this project. Valuable experience was exchanged between the two parties. Three stakeholders are involved: IGTC, contractors and the industry. By creating transparent communications and public information, any ground for benefitting from leaked information was removed and the experience of other industries including power plants was received. Dynamism and competition picked up speed between potential outsource companies, whose final result would be upgrading the capability of these companies