Mehdi Ahmad Khanbeigi said in an interview with Shana that the oil industry’s success at the seventh Exhibition of Demand for Iranian Manufacturing and Production (Testa) reflects the growing impact of applied research in addressing key industrial needs. He said two strategic projects from the ministry’s main subsidiaries received top honors due to their advanced technological level and direct impact on production and efficiency.

Khanbeigi said the selection underscores the Oil Ministry’s shift from purely theoretical research toward problem-oriented and applied studies, as well as the industry’s confidence in the capabilities of domestic experts and leading universities.

Describing the first winning project, implemented by the National Iranian Gas Company, Khanbeigi said the design, consultancy and participation in the execution of the national turbine upgrade project, carried out with Iran University of Science and Technology, stands as a national achievement.

He said the project focuses on upgrading turbo-compressors in gas transmission pipelines, particularly 25-megawatt turbines. As a result, the efficiency of turbines connected to compressors has increased from 82% to about 90%.

Khanbeigi added that another key achievement was the development of a domestically produced 30-megawatt turbo-compressor technology marketed under the name IGT30, calling it a vital step toward localizing technical know-how and optimizing gas transmission across the national network.

Turning to the second selected project, Khanbeigi said the enhanced oil recovery project using advanced technologies at the Koopal oil field, commissioned by the National Iranian Oil Co. and implemented by Sharif University of Technology, was also recognized at the exhibition.

He said the research focuses on the Asmari reservoir using gas injection and the Bangestan reservoir using smart water flooding. Laboratory results have been highly promising, demonstrating the potential of modern technologies to increase recovery rates.

Khanbeigi said the project has also delivered tangible outcomes, including the design of a low-salinity water injection pilot and the development of specialized technological equipment. He expressed hope that support from the deputy for engineering, research and technology will accelerate industrial-scale deployment in oil fields.

At the closing ceremony of Research and Technology Week and the seventh Testa exhibition, the National Iranian South Oilfields Co. was named the Oil Ministry’s selected partner of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology for 2025, in recognition of its efforts in developing and implementing joint academic programs with universities. Two major Oil Ministry projects were also formally introduced as national winners at the exhibition.