Omid Shakeri, Deputy Minister of Petroleum for Engineering, Research, and Technology, highlighted the importance of establishing clear metrics to measure the impact of research and technological activities.

Speaking at the specialized session "Performance Report of the Oil Industry Technology Ecosystem" during the third PetroTech Conference on Sunday, Shakeri stressed that these metrics would help determine how much of these efforts have contributed to solving oil industry challenges and generating additional revenue. He called for a redesign of collaboration pathways among universities, research institutes, technology parks, and the oil industry.

Shakeri emphasized that research activities should yield specific, measurable outcomes to assess their impact on the oil industry and national decision-making. He stated that redesigning collaboration pathways among various components of this ecosystem is essential to achieve tangible results.

The deputy minister also advocated for stronger and more cohesive links among the different elements of the ecosystem to ensure that technological projects effectively transition from the research and development phase to implementation. Shakeri underscored the need for greater synergy among stakeholders, asserting that this would yield significant benefits for the oil industry and the country.

RIPI Advances in new technologies

Azim Kalantari-Asl, head of the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), highlighted the institute's achievements in new technologies, environmental initiatives, and international collaborations.

He noted that the institute has not only made technological advancements but has also played a key role in addressing environmental challenges and strengthening industrial cooperation.

Kalantari-Asl mentioned that the institute has received international awards from the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Algeria and Eurasian countries.

Additionally, two environmental projects in collaboration with the United Nations have been successfully completed, leading to invitations to the COP29 meetings in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The RIPI also ranks second among national research institutes, with its work in areas such as gas injection into oil reservoirs and refining process improvements gaining significant attention.

The institute’s head emphasized the importance of optimizing the use of underground resources and adopting new models in various energy sectors. He highlighted a key project involving gas injection into oil reservoirs to enhance production from unconventional fields, which has attracted interest from international clients.

These projects aim to reduce reliance on foreign technologies and enhance domestic capabilities in the oil industry.

Kalantari-Asl also pointed out the institute’s progress in areas such as energy storage structures, catalysts, and refining process improvements. Some of these technologies have been transferred to private companies and are being effectively utilized across various industries, contributing to sustainable production, reducing environmental issues, and improving industrial efficiency.

He further stressed the importance of developing digital technologies and artificial intelligence in the oil industry, announcing new initiatives by the institute in these areas. These include developing digital systems for knowledge management and using composite pipes in oil reservoir projects to enhance performance and reduce environmental damage. The Oil Industry Research Institute aims to strengthen collaborations with industry and government to achieve sustainable and impactful results in the energy sector.

IIES, future analysis of oil industry

Mohammad-Sadeq Jokar, head of the Institute of International Energy Studies (IIES), noted that questions about the global market and energy security in Iran’s oil industry emerged in the mid-1980s, leading to the formation of energy diplomacy within the National Iranian Oil Company and the Ministry of Oil in 1991.

This shift resulted in the development of various projects in energy governance and the optimization of the oil industry’s structure, including comprehensive energy plans, IPC contract models, and strategic human resource management.

Jokar explained that the International Energy Studies Institute, as an independent think tank, analyzes trends and forecasts the future of the oil industry to address challenges in the oil and energy sectors.

In addition to research activities, the institute has executed projects in energy balance modeling, energy diplomacy, and human resource management, contributing to transparency in international and domestic processes, analyzing the effects of sanctions, and managing the country’s strategic oil resources.

The institute’s head highlighted a key project involving robotic data analysis and simulations of the future energy industry. The institute uses weak signals of technology and global developments to predict changes in the energy market, providing accurate forecasts on oil market shifts, the impact of sanctions, and international policies.

Jokar also emphasized the institute’s active role in international collaborations, working with countries such as Russia, OPEC, and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) to exchange experiences and new technologies in oil and gas production.

Despite significant progress, the institute continues to adopt an agile approach, believing that building and strengthening knowledge networks domestically and internationally is key to addressing future challenges in the oil industry. As a leading center, it plays a crucial role in providing strategic solutions for the Ministry of Petroleum and other government sectors.

Enhancing educational, research quality at Petroleum University

Mohammad Chahardoli, head of the Petroleum University, highlighted the university’s efforts to train skilled and committed professionals for the oil and gas industry.

He noted the university’s strong track record in producing graduates with outstanding capabilities and its reputation as a mission-driven institution in petroleum engineering education.

Chahardoli pointed to the university’s significant role in scientific research, citing statistics that demonstrate the quality and impact of its academic publications at national and international levels.

Despite a decline in employment rates in recent years, the university has maintained strong performance in postgraduate entrance exams and increased collaborations with oil companies and specialized training programs for industry personnel.

The university’s head also outlined future plans for educational transformation and skill development for students and faculty, emphasizing the importance of partnerships with other universities and the oil industry to develop human resources for the sector.

Leveraging external capacities, open innovation

Mohammad-Esmail Kefayati, head of the Oil Industry Innovation, Technology Park, stressed the importance of utilizing external capacities in Iran’s oil industry.

He noted that while domestic capabilities are strong, particularly in upstream development and oil field expansion, international collaborations and partnerships with foreign companies are essential.

Kefayati highlighted the need to focus on intellectual property and technology ownership, pointing out that Iran lags behind advanced countries like China, Germany, and South Korea in patent registrations and innovations.

Kefayati called for an innovation-driven economy and the adoption of open innovation models to maximize the potential of Iran’s technology ecosystem.

He also emphasized the importance of exporting technical and engineering services as a priority for the oil industry, which could generate significant foreign revenue and create new job opportunities in the sector.