The week featured the signing of research and technology contracts, the unveiling of policy documents and knowledge-based products, and presentations on innovation achievements across the oil industry. Together, the initiatives underscored the ministry’s strategic approach to meeting technological needs while boosting productivity, sustainability and competitiveness in the strategic sector.

Research and technology, as key drivers of sustainable development, play a decisive role in the future of the oil industry. Maintaining production, improving efficiency, safeguarding resources and enhancing competitiveness increasingly depend on knowledge, innovation and advanced technologies. Amid volatile energy markets and growing environmental and economic requirements, targeted research and the adoption of transformative technologies help address technical and operational challenges, cut costs and create added value, paving the way from traditional approaches to a smart, knowledge-based and forward-looking industry.

In a message marking Research and Technology Week, Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said Iran’s oil industry must move beyond traditional approaches toward development grounded in targeted research, innovation and transformative technologies to preserve its national and international standing and ensure sustainable growth.

In that context, selected research and technology contracts of the National Iranian Oil Co. were signed at a ceremony attended by NIOC CEO Hamid Bovard, Deputy Oil Minister for Engineering, Research and Technology Omid Shakeri, executives of oil industry subsidiaries, and representatives of universities, research centers and technology firms. The contracts focus on advanced technologies—particularly artificial intelligence, digital transformation, data management and optimization of upstream processes—and were signed between NIOC’s Research and Technology Management and subsidiaries including the National Iranian South Oilfields Co., the Central Iranian Oil Fields Co., and the Iranian Offshore Oil Company, alongside academic and technology partners.

Separately, during Research Week at the Central Iranian Oil Fields Company, the “Petro Wrench” database software was officially unveiled. Developed by the company’s reservoir engineering systems specialists, the platform is designed to integrate and intelligently manage technical data, support expert decision-making, and improve efficiency in engineering and production operations—an important step in strengthening digital infrastructure across the oil industry.

Research Achievements at the Ministry of Oil

Shakeri said 843 technological needs have so far been registered on the ministry’s dedicated portal within the national Ideas and Needs System (NAN). He also reported that from the start of the Iranian year 1403 through the first six months of the year, the ministry signed 312 research contracts with universities and research centers, valued at more than 1.7 trillion rials, reflecting expanded, structured engagement with the academic community.

At the 13th Iran Made exhibition, the book Research and Technology Priorities of the Ministry of Petroleum was unveiled at a joint meeting of managers and industry representatives, attended by Shakeri and Mohammad Saeed Saif, director general for industry and society relations at the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. The book serves as a research and technology roadmap, clearly outlining the sector’s priorities and technological needs.

Oil Industry University President Mohammadreza Khosravi-Nikou highlighted the role of research in self-sufficiency and productivity gains, announcing the launch of specialized clinics to address well and field defects. He said the university aims to play a stronger role in solving industry challenges by advancing technologies through commercialization.

Another Research Week highlight was the oil industry’s success at the seventh Exhibition of Demand for Iranian Manufacturing and Production (TESTA). Mehdi Ahmadkhan-Beigi, director general for research and technology at the Ministry of Petroleum, said two strategic projects from major oil subsidiaries were selected as top projects due to their high technological level and direct impact on production and efficiency.

Research Initiatives in Refining

In the refining sector, three research contracts and three memorandums of understanding were signed between refining companies and universities and research institutes to maximize domestic capabilities. The agreements cover projects including completion and construction of a pilot for evaluating hydrocracking catalyst performance; development of smart sealing systems; drafting 10 national IPS standards; optimization of LPG production using linear programming and AI; soil remediation; flare monitoring using image processing and AI; and CFD-based analysis of process issues in alkylation units.

Mehdi Dejhosseini, head of research and technology at the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Co., said digital transformation and research underpin sustainable development in the oil industry. He said about 400 billion rials were allocated this year to the company’s research and technology headquarters, with roughly 48% absorbed so far and full utilization expected by year’s end.

Meanwhile, the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry signed two cooperation documents during its research and technology festival, including an agreement with Behin Palayesh Naft Qeshmand a memorandum with the Presidential Innovation and Prosperity Fund to support technology projects and knowledge-based companies. Two knowledge-based products—a sorbent catalyst and an analyzer—were also unveiled, highlighting the growing role of research and technology as the main engine of sustainable development in the oil industry.