Omid Shakeri, deputy oil minister for engineering, research and technology, said the decision followed last week’s Cabinet meeting with Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who emphasized the need to modernize production technologies and involve young experts in the oil and gas sector. Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad ordered the creation of the task force, which includes executives, university professors and leading specialists in the field.

Shakeri noted that while many research projects have been carried out in recent years to develop and apply enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies, they have yet to yield tangible production results. He said the new task force’s main mission is to follow up on existing projects in EOR, revive low-output wells and resolve operational challenges in upstream oil operations.

He also invited academic institutions, research centers and knowledge-based companies to submit innovative proposals for oil and gas production. Approved projects will be supported after review by the task force secretariat, he added.

Shakeri further announced the launch of the fifth National Oil Engineering Olympiad, which will focus on the Leader’s call for innovative contributions from young professionals in the field. Winning ideas selected by the jury will receive special support.

He expressed hope that these initiatives would have a significant impact, saying the Oil Ministry has always prioritized the Supreme Leader’s guidance, and Minister Paknejad remains committed to implementing his directives.