Mehdi Dejhosseini, speaking on Monday at a specialized meeting titled "Technological Needs and Financial Resource Provision for NIORDC" during the Third Petrotech Conference, highlighted several problems, including imbalances, equipment aging, digital transformation, value chain optimization, and carbon emission reduction.

He emphasized the need for collaboration with scientific and executive bodies, such as universities and the Petroleum Industry Research Institute, to resolve these challenges.

Dejhosseini stressed the importance of securing financial resources for project implementation, noting that the establishment of a venture capital fund for NIORDC is underway. This fund will support the execution of research projects.

He added that the technological priorities of NIORDC have been identified, which will help streamline the value chain, prevent energy waste, increase revenue, and combat fuel smuggling. Six mega-projects have been defined, each divided into multiple sub-projects, with expert input being utilized and tasks delegated to subsidiary companies.

Dejhosseini mentioned that these projects vary in technological maturity levels. A committee, in collaboration with the National Elites Foundation, has been formed to oversee more than 24 sub-projects. This initiative aims to break the monopoly of universities on such projects, providing an opportunity for academic elites to present their ideas to the foundation.

He also announced the identification of other high-tech maturity projects, with calls for proposals to be announced gradually. Currently, two calls have been issued: one for combating fuel smuggling and another for upgrading fuel oil products, with support from the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.

Dejhosseini revealed plans to utilize other funds for project financing, noting that 15 billion tomans in loans have already been allocated to new technology-based firms (NTBFs).

Additionally, with the formation of venture capital funds, oil refining companies can use these resources for research projects and oversee their execution.

The NIORDC venture capital fund currently holds 20 billion tomans, with expectations to reach 50 billion tomans in the future. Tehran Refinery and Shazand Petrochemical have expressed readiness to join this fund.

Sulfur production value chain in focus

Mohsen Moradmand, head of research and technology at Isfahan Oil Refining Company, stated that before 2001, the primary goal of the Isfahan refinery was to sustain production, with most equipment imported. In the 2010s, the focus shifted to quality improvement. Consequently, the refinery prioritized producing Euro 4 and Euro 5 quality gasoline, with two gas oil refining units coming into service. These units require proper groundwork and collaboration with other refineries to become operational.

Moradmand noted that after achieving quality and environmental goals, the focus shifted to diversifying the fuel product portfolio and optimizing the value chain. He emphasized the need for future studies in renewable energy, as global trends move away from liquid fuel consumption.

He added that the sulfur production value chain is now a priority, with sulfur production expected to reach 600 tons per day next year. The goal is to produce high-tech products from sulfur and complete its value chain.

Online pipeline monitoring

Ali Ahmadi-Pour, CEO of Iranian Oil Pipelines and Telecommunications Company, signed a cooperation agreement with Noora Tarr Smart, a knowledge-based company, for the online, 24/7 physical monitoring of pipeline corridors. If successful, this monitoring system will be extended to all pipelines across the country.

Ahmadi-Pour stated that less than 5 million liters of products are illegally extracted from pipelines annually. This agreement aims to address this challenge by employing equipment to monitor pipelines continuously, ensuring their stability and the uninterrupted flow of oil products.

Cooperation agreement signed

On the sidelines of the meeting, Abadan Oil Refining Company signed a cooperation agreement with Pasargad Information Technology Consulting Engineers to design, construct, install, and operate a pilot unit with a daily feed capacity of 2 tons. The unit will use a novel cold cracking method to produce light oil cuts from fuel oil.

The agreement was signed by Fardin Rashidi, CEO of Abadan Oil Refining Company, and Mohammad Tabibi, CEO of Pasargad Information Technology Consulting Engineers. The project will last 12 months, with funding provided by NIORDC's venture capital funds.