Iran's Oil Ministry has signed a collaboration agreement with the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology for the avowed goal of bridging the technological gap in the domestic petrochemical sector.
During a meeting on Thursday, Oil Minister Javad Owji signed the deal with Vice President Sorena Sattari, Isti.ir reported.
The deal envisages the cooperation of knowledge-based companies with oil and gas industries by boosting ties between technology and industrial units and giving support to the mass production of innovative items developed by startups.
Officials at the meeting also discussed potential joint research projects and startup events to increase the transfer of technology and know-how between the two sides.
Giving financial and technical support to growing technology units, establishing more petrochemical technology centers, financing new laboratories and minimizing bureaucratic processes for issuing certificates for technological products were also discussed.
The vice president stated at the event that the technology ecosystem has matured to a point where it can play a bigger role in meeting the demands of large industries.
"Fortunately, the domestic oil sector has started incorporating modern technologies by leveraging the growing potentials of knowledge-based firms," he said.
“The prudent move can reduce the industry's reliance on imports, which is a significant step toward the country's independence from foreign resources."
Sattari emphasized that private investors should open their coffers for technological research, claiming that this is the only viable solution for expanding technology's reach in the critical oil industry. He added that the government's financial assistance is insufficient for such a big move.
"Over 700 Iranian knowledge-based firms are working on oil, gas and energy issues. Relevant industrial units should seize the opportunity to improve their production technology," he added.
Owji stated that fortunately many of today's industrial challenges can be addressed by smart solutions provided by tech savvy companies.
"Assistance from the technology community reduces costs while maintaining and even increasing industrial productivity," he added.
Sattari and Owji inspected the latest achievements of 32 knowledge-based companies in a permanent tech fair at Tehran’s International Exhibition Center on the eve of the signing event.
The fair featured a variety of products, including oil and gas injection equipment, flare control devices, catalysts, micro turbines, boilers, well pumps, industrial pipes, precision measurement tools and industrial software.
Iranian officials believe that strengthening the role of knowledge-based units in key industries, such as energy, has benefited both parties. As a result, support for tech teams and startups by providing workspace and mentorship has gained traction.
Previous Support
In mid-October, Iran’s Research Institute of Petroleum Industry, affiliated with the Oil Ministry, signed contracts with two knowledge-based companies to inject new technologies in the petrochemical sector.
According to the local media, the institute started collaboration with Azma Sanj Pishro Company (ASP) in Tehran to transfer the knowledge of water- and oil-based nanofluid production.
The institute, in return, is committed to provide technical consultation and support, commercialize ASP’s petrochemical products, make research and development investments and expand the tech firm’s market.
The second contract was forged with Toftech company operating in Isfahan.
Toftech’s major mission is to manufacture advanced scientific devices used in laboratories, including mass and ion-mobility spectrometers (IMS).
RIPI joined the company to produce IMS and use the device for the analysis of sulfur and mercury compounds and other gaseous and liquid materials for research purposes.
Technological Boost
Tech developments in oil industries grabbed the spotlight in mid-June when an oil and gas tech park was launched in Tehran with the support of the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology.
The park is established over 32 hectares in the former Research Institute of Petroleum Industry’s site in the southern Baqershahr neighborhood of Tehran.
According to the officials, the tech park is aimed at injecting state-of-the-art technology into the domestic petroleum industry and enrich the industry with the know-how generated by universities and research institutes.
It plans to host and support knowledge-based companies and startups for developing smart ideas to upgrade petroleum technologies, develop markets, create jobs and boost their capacities in the key sector.
Tech teams entering the park can enjoy legal and tax exemptions and up to 5 billion rials ($17,850) of seed money supplied by the Iran National Innovation Fund, affiliated with the vice presidential office.
In line with the park project, an oil innovation and research fund was established in Tehran to support knowledge-based companies active in the petroleum sector.
Iran is an energy superpower and its petroleum industry plays an important role in the country’s economy.
In 2012, Iran exported 1.5 million barrels of crude oil per day, becoming the second-largest exporter among the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. In the same year, officials estimated that Iran's annual oil and gas revenues could reach $250 billion by 2015.
However, the industry was disrupted by an international embargo from July 2012 through January 2016. Iran plans to invest $500 billion in the oil sector before 2025.
