SHANA (Tehran) – The head of the Oil Industry Technology and Innovation Park said the park supports technology and new technology-based firms with practical, operational applications across the oil industry value chain, emphasizing a problem-oriented approach to company admission.
According to the National Iranian Oil Company, Farhang Fasihi made the remarks during a meeting with Mehdi Dej-Hosseini, head of research and technology at the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company, and his delegation. Fasihi said companies are admitted to the park based on the Oil Ministry’s real needs, with a focus on addressing the industry’s priority challenges. Firms whose technologies and projects have operational applications in oil, gas and refining are eligible for the park’s incentives and benefits.
He noted that the park enjoys privileges similar to those of free trade zones, including customs and tax exemptions, adding that these incentives are designed to provide targeted support to technology and NTBFs working on key and priority challenges in the oil industry.
Fasihi identified the development of sustainable infrastructure for hosting knowledge-based companies as a core element of the park’s programs. He said strategic plans include moving toward the creation of an energy hub, forming a smart technology zone, and leveraging the capacities of networks of technology firms based in science and technology parks nationwide.
He described the provision of infrastructure such as electricity and water supply, maintenance services, and shared laboratory and industrial facilities as essential to delivering reliable and sustainable services to the oil industry, adding that such infrastructure plays a key role in strengthening technological capabilities and facilitating the industry’s use of knowledge-based companies.
Reducing Fuel Oil Emissions a Government Priority
Dej-Hosseini said reducing fuel oil emissions at power plants is a government priority, adding that the company is focusing on research and technology projects aimed at cutting emissions, particularly at 14 power plants during the winter season.
He cited successful pilot projects in this field, including at the Lavan refinery, and said the design and deployment of emission-reduction systems before fuel oil enters power plants are on the agenda. Establishing a specialized fuel oil center at the technology park could play an important role in pooling the capacities of technology firms and universities, as well as standardizing related technologies, he added.
Dej-Hosseini also stressed the need to establish reference laboratories, expand cooperation with universities and research centers, make use of tax credit mechanisms and research and technology funds, and advance smartization and digital transformation projects in refineries and the distribution sector. He said structured interaction among the technology park, Oil Ministry subsidiaries and research institutions would enable the effective implementation of technology projects and help achieve goals related to emission reduction, higher efficiency and improved environmental standards.
At the end of the meeting, the delegation visited several companies operating within the Oil Industry Technology and Innovation Park.