Iranian Natural Gas Research Articles

How can the compensation structure of Iran's natural gas distribution services be modified based on incentive-based regulations?

Although the government owns most of Iran's natural gas industry, outsourcing has begun via build-owned-and-transfer (BOT) contracts in development, and fixed-price service contracts for operation and maintenance. For instance, in the distribution industry, the private sector now performs 50 % of the tasks. Variable unit costs show the necessity for performance- and incentive-based rules to address the variability of enterprises' pay systems. These costs are greater for public firms in certain places and lower in others. Using the financial data of 31 Iranian natural gas distribution companies from 2010 to 2019, this study develops parametric models to evaluate time-variant, and time-invariant operational and capital efficiency. Besides, this paper studies four contextual factors that contribute to the heterogeneity of firms: network maturity, consumer density, consumer type, and consumption pattern. The results show that mature networks have an average 40 % higher operating unit cost. Moreover, the firms with more industrial customers in southern Iran recorded doubled sales costs. Based on unit expenditure modeling, the research suggests that merging small firms does not necessarily result in higher efficiency. Instead, mergers that optimize customer density, and average consumption growth are expected to be more effective.

Fast and selective determination of the gasodor S-free using ion mobility spectrometer equipped with corona discharged ionization source: Theoretical study, experimental optimization and field test

The past decade has witnessed a growth of using sulfur-free (S-Free) odorants in the natural gas odorization, but development of the fast, selective, sensitive, and low-cost methods for determination of S-Free odorant concentration in the gas flow remains as an important issue. In this research, we successfully optimized an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) equipped with a corona discharged ionization source for the determination of Gasodor S-free odorant in the natural gas. The optimized method can completely prevent the production of the dimers between ethyl acrylate and methyl acrylate and hence, enhancing the sensitivity of the proposed method. In addition, in this method, there is no need to use expensive gas chromatography columns to solve the problem of the overlap between ethyl acrylate and methyl acrylate peaks. The proposed method is able to determine the Gasodor S-free in the natural gas in less than 2 min. The total cost for each analysis is lower than 0.10 USD. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were calculated based on the signal-to noise-ratio of 3 and 10, respectively. The results were 0.46 mg .m−3 and 1.56 mg m−3 respectively for LOD and LOQ. The relative standard deviation (RSD %) of the results was ± 2.3 %. In this work, for the first time, Gasodor S-free was applied in the selected area of the Iranian natural gas grid and the practical characteristics such as olfactory tests, variations in the odorant concentration during night and day and optimum concentration of Gasodor S-free were studied and discussed.

Identifying the factors affecting competitiveness: A case study of Iranian natural gas industry

Natural gas, as a clean and environment-friendly commodity, has now found its place in the energy baskets of developed countries. The present study aimed to identify the factors affecting competitiveness in Iran's natural gas industry. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with gas industry executives and experts, and it was analyzed using the grounded theory. Finally, a model for explaining the factors influencing competitiveness in the Iranian natural gas industry was obtained. Institutional capacity building, commercial behavior, joining the global production chain, accessing the global financial resources, technological connection with the world and business diplomacy explain the competitiveness model. Achieving a competitive position in the field of the natural gas industry necessitates entering the global supply chain, which is dependent on the recreation of relationships, as well as changing attitudes and actions in the task and global environment.

Sofregaz v. NGSC (CA Paris)

On June 3, 2020, the International Commercial Chamber of the Paris Court of Appeal (the Court or the Court of Appeal) dismissed the annulment application brought by the Société Française d'Etudes et de Réalisation d'Equipements Gaziers (Sofregaz, now called TCM FR) of an arbitral award rendered in Paris on December 27, 2018, in favor of the Iranian Natural Gas Storage Company (NGSC), pursuant to the Rules of Arbitration of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC Rules). The Court ruled in particular that U.S. sanctions against Iran do not form part of French international public order but that European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN) sanctions do. This ruling provides useful guidance on the interaction between international sanctions and international arbitration.

Optimizing Iran's natural gas export portfolio by presenting a conceptual framework for non-systematic risk based on portfolio theory

Remarkable proven reserves of approximately 1200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, with an unprecedented growth in global demand, have led Iranian policymakers to look for optimal natural gas export programs. This paper attempts to provide a novel conceptual framework to evaluate the natural gas export portfolio. In this regard, the present study develops the concept of non-systematic risk based on both the natural gas dependency risk index and the geopolitical risk index. Furthermore, it presents an aggregated quantitative index using entropy-based index aggregate method by providing appropriate sub-indicators toward natural gas transmission via pipeline and LNG. By introducing the non-linear mathematical programming model of Iran's optimal gas export portfolio and proposing four export scenarios, the efficient frontier is obtained for each scenario. Finally, the results show that the minimum risk level can be attained when the gas export portfolio constitutes a significant share of LNG transmission method.

Experimental study of Iranian natural gas hydrate formation using Persian Gulf seawater in the presence or absence of propanol as a thermodynamic inhibitor

ABSTRACT Gas hydrates are crystalline compounds that are obtained from gas molecules trapped in cavities due to hydrogen bonding of water. Iran is among the countries that have rich reserves of natural gas and one of the issues related to the natural gas is gas hydrate formation that can cause problems in the oil and gas industry. However, in recent research hydrates’ formation is mentioned as an advantage for specific uses. But this phenomenon occurred in natural gas transmission pipelines causes an increasing pressure drop, obstruction of gas transmission pipelines. The purpose of this study is to examine the natural gas hydrate formation in the presence or absence propanol as the thermodynamic inhibitor in a closed system experimentally. In this research, for the formation of gas hydrates, natural gas of the Gachsaran region of Iran and the Persian Gulf Seawater (instead of pure water) has been used. In this study, solutions containing inhibitors were examined in three weight percentages of 5, 15 and 25 and their results were also compared with each other. The results of the experiments showed that under identical conditions, Gachsaran natural gas hydrates are formed in the presence of Persian Gulf seawater at a lower temperature than pure water. It was also found that by increasing the concentration of inhibitor, the equilibrium temperature of hydrate formation is reduced and more equilibrium pressure is needed for hydrate formation.

A Layered Uncertainties Scenario Synthesizing (LUSS) model applied to evaluate multiple potential long-run outcomes for Iran's natural gas exports

For decades, energy has prevailed as a critical policymaking concern at national and international levels. Today, energy systems, the global markets and their trends are more complex, and it is crucial for any nation or organization which seeks to grow its share in the energy markets to develop insights about potential future trends and changes. Although Iran has one the largest natural gas reserves in the world, it currently contributes little to international market supply and recently has targeted the enhancement of its role in the market. To achieve this, it must carefully consider the complexity of existing global energy markets and how they are likely to evolve in the future. Here, we develop and discuss a novel scenario synthesizing model to address the inherent uncertainty of the energy future. The model starts with a structured environmental analysis step to establish the meaningful driving forces and other influences on the natural gas global markets. The influences identified are then categorized under four classes: critical uncertainties, driving forces, descriptive, and neutral (which are removed from the study). Applying a simulation-based method, a layered scenario development model is constructed to develop plausible scenarios for two feature classes: critical uncertainties and driving forces. The developed scenarios are then combined to generate possible scenario streams. A third layer simulation is applied to generate final plausible scenarios. As a final step, scenarios are clustered to define relatively independent scenario streams, and each is discussed using descriptive features.

Assessment and budget allocation of Iranian natural gas distribution company- A CSW DEA based model

Regarding the importance of budgeting in organizations, this research proposes an empirical approach to budget allocation problems. The methodological instrument utilized is data envelopment analysis (DEA) which is a nonparametric mathematical programming technique. In the DEA methodology a standard DEA model should be independently solved to evaluate each decision making unit (DMU). Consequently, it is hard to find the magnitude of budget for each DMU by applying a budget allocation model based on standard DEA models because identifying the DMU under evaluation is problematic. Also, to overcome problems of evaluation using standard DEA models, common set of weights (CSW) DEA models were suggested. These models can be developed for use in budget allocation DEA models that lead to finding a single magnitude of budget for each DMU. Moreover, the opinion of the decision maker can be incorporated into the model using budgetary constraints. As a result, a restricted linear budget allocation CSW DEA model is proposed in which the central authority would like to plan for improving the total efficiency scores of all DMUs. In essence, the proposed model is used to reallocate the available budget and, thus, the results obtained will be a suggestion for budget allocation in subsequent periods. Finally, the proposed model is applied to budget allocation in the Iranian gas industry in which the available budget is reallocated to increase the total efficiency scores of Iranian gas distribution branches.

An economic evaluation of Iranian natural gas export to Europe through proposed pipelines

Natural gas consumption is rising rapidly around the world. Europe is likely to be turning to new sources of natural gas, and Iran as the world's largest holder of gas reserves could be one of its suppliers. This article proposes three routes for the transfer of Iranian gas to Europe through pipelines. The study uses three common ways for investigating the feasibility of infrastructure projects, including the net present value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Benefit-Cost Ratio. These criteria will be used for analyzing the economic feasibility of the transfer of Iranian natural gas to Europe via pipelines. With 5% discount rate and the average price of exported gas in all gas feedstock rate scenarios, different routes will be calculated on the basis of NPV and IRR. The results show that Turkey route has the highest Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return, and Iraq and Armenia routes have the next priorities.

The use of fuzzy real option valuation method to rank Giga Investment Projects on Iran's natural gas reserves

Giga investments are exposed to numerous syste­matic and unsystematic (or specific) risks that significantly influence their feasibility and value. In addition to the conventional issues and complexities in evaluating investment projects, factors such as long construction time, high amount of capital required and irreversibility of investment, increase uncertainty of cash flows in these types of projects. As a consequence, decision makers are usually not satisfied with the results of the most popular va­luation methodology – discounted cash flow analysis – in valuation of Giga investments. The most promising methodology of valuing flexibility in such investment projects is the real options valuation which quantifies the value of embedded flexibilities through option pricing techniques. In this paper, fuzzy real options valuation techniques are used to rank Giga project proposals faced in Iran's gas industry. To this end, different scenarios of project payoff and future uncertainties are quantified, using fuzzy numbers based on findings from earlier real option valuation methods.

Novel natural gas molecular weight calculator equation as a functional of only temperature, pressure and sound speed

In city gate stations (CGS) experimental facilities are currently employed to specify natural gas compositions and subsequently calculate its density. Then, natural gas mass flow rate is calculated by employing an Ultrasonic Flow Meter (UFM), and a volume corrector to convert the given value to its equivalent in standard conditions. As online measurement of natural gas compositions is a costly and difficult task, this study presents an innovative method for natural gas mass flow metering in CGSs. In this method, a novel correlation, which is a functional of only three simple measurable variables i.e. temperature, pressure and sound speed, is presented for calculating natural gas molecular weight, and then, employing the authentic equations of state (EOS) of AGA8 for natural gas, its density could be calculated. The correlation was developed based on curve fitting and data mining approaches on a large database associated with four different natural gas fields of Iran and its accuracy was validated with available experimental data for seven other Iran's natural gas fields and two more gases with sample compositions. Each database in correlation development and validation stage (13 databases altogether) consists of 17,000 sound speed values in all possible temperature and pressure ranges in CGSs after expansion process. Mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) methods are used to validate the correlation accuracy and compare its performance with the correlation presented previously for the same objective. The evaluation results prove high prediction accuracy for the presented correlation and its superiority comparing to the previous work.

Forecasting Iran's Natural Gas Production, Consumption

Iran is a major energy producing and exporting country. At the present time, natural gas accounts for about 68% of Iranian domestic energy consumption. On the other hand, Iran stands in second place in the world in terms of natural gas reserves. Therefore, it indicates the importance of Iran's gas in present and future national and international marketing. The present paper focuses on the characteristics of production and consumption of natural gas in Iran for the previous 44 years and forecasts short and long term values based on valid data up to 2035. Because of economic constraints, from time to time, natural gas production obeys other models. Then this study also presents a new model for predicting the future of the natural gas in these turbulent situations.

Evaluation of energy recovery and potential of hydrogen production in Iranian natural gas transmission network

In the natural gas transmission network, from supply points to demand nods there are various technological options that include processing, transportation, conversion and gas distribution. Comprehensive analysis of natural gas network requires evaluation of different chains of gas flow through various levels based on economical and environmental criteria subject to technical and operational constraints such as feasibility, operability and reliability of different alternatives. To aid decision-making process in the sector of natural gas, a generic optimization-based model has been developed for assessing long term energy issues related to planning and design of natural gas supply systems. The model is capable of identifying optimal investment strategies and build up of new capacities of an integrated gas supply system. Evaluation of the potential of energy conservation and hydrogen production in transmission network are also investigated by three energy recovery technologies: turbo expander, ORC and electrolyzer. The model has then been applied in studying the development of Iranian natural gas network. The results indicate the utilization of produced hydrogen by electrolyzer has considerable impact on minimizing the total cost. The total produced hydrogen of the case study is 1337 million kg, in the period 2011–30.

Нефтегазовый фактор во внешней политике Ирана

The author’s analysis is based on the assumption of special importance of the energy factor in the world politics. The author considers the problems of Iranian oil and gas sector, the outcomes of strict pressures of the international sanctions against the national nuclear program, the Tehran’s retaliatory measures. Also, the article deals with the issues of extraction and sales of Iranian natural gas, as well as of production and exports of petroleum products. Most likely, as the author states, the sanctions will not provide the desired results.

Producing Electrical Power in Addition of Heat in Natural Gas Pressure Drop Stations by ICE

Natural gas (NG) must be preheated before pressure reduction takes places at City Gate Stations (CGS). It ensures that gas remains above the hydrate-formation zone and dew point, so no pipeline blockage occurs. The preheating consumes a considerable amount of NG as fuel. In order to operate the CGS more efficiently, a new idea is proposed in this study. The idea is to utilize a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system in which an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) acts as a prime mover. The ICE is driving a generator in addition of providing heat for preheating NG. To show the advantage of the proposed system, Mashhad CGS has been chosen as a case study. Results show that a CHP system with two 2.8 MW ICEs is the most appropriate system. The system has the minimum fuel consumption and payback period. Based on the Iranian natural gas consumption of 377 × 106 (m3/day) and by assuming the similar conditions for the other CGSs in Iran, the total amount of extractable electrical power from the CHP systems is predicted to be nearly 91.5 MW. That is equivalent to 802.14 GW.hr/year in 2010 with a yearly benefit about 45 million dollars. According to average annual growing rate of 2.4% of gas consumption in Iran, the predictions are performed until 2035.

Studying the impact of mental health on job performance of managers and staff

The purpose of present research is to study the relationship between job performance and employees’ mental health in one of Iranian natural gas refinery located in city of Jam, Iran. Data collection was conducted based on two major characteristics of job performance and mental health based on questionnaire methods among 42 people. The methodology is descriptive and correlation – type and to analyze the data, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, variances equality tests as well as t-student were utilized. The findings show that there was a significant relationship between employees’ job performance and mental health and any increase in mental health aspects promotes job performance proportionally. In the meantime, there was no significant relationship between employees’ job performance and their gender and there was no significant difference on mental health status between male and female staff. Based on the results, one can conclude that low mental health level among employees can reduce their performance. Managers should use proper methods to decrease the negative consequences resulted from the lack of mental health in workplaces.

A Critical Evaluation of Iranian Natural Gas Resources

Nowadays, the world energy focus is shifting towards natural gas for power and heat generation as a substitute for coal and oil. Approximately 60% of world natural gas reserves are mainly concentrated in Russia, Iran, and Qatar. Iran will play a main role in the supply of world natural gas demand, if its natural gas fields can be developed effectively. In spite of huge natural gas reserves, Iran's natural gas production has not grown sufficiently. This study summarizes Iranian natural gas reserves, production, transportation and recent geopolitical events relating to the Iranian natural gas industry and how the Iranian government politics in development of its natural gas industry offer important signs to understand Iran's view on its natural gas resource management and to predict Iran's action in the future. The aim of this study is to discuss the problems and possible solutions to the problems of the Iranian natural gas industry.

Optimising Compressed Natural Gas filling stations reservoir pressure based on thermodynamic analysis

A theoretical analysis has been developed to study the effects various parameters on the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling process and the conditions. The analysis is based on first and second laws of thermodynamics, conservation of mass and the AGA8 Equation of State (EOS). Based on AGA8 EOS and thermodynamics relationships, the required properties of natural gas mixtures have been calculated. It is found that, the compositions of natural gas have big effects on the CNG filling process and final in–cylinder values. For various Iranian natural gas compositions, the optimised filling stations' reservoirs pressure has been found.

Prospect of Natural Gas Industry in Iran

Iran holds the second largest gas reserves in the word with over 27.5 trillion cubic meters (TCM) of natural gas. Due to lack of geological surveys in certain geographical regions in Iran. It is likely to explore further reserves in the future. Hence, for utilizing this energy carrier, it is essential to have comprehensive and explicit planning knowledge. The study of gas industry development policies is indicative of certain barriers in utilizing prospective opportunities. Iran is one of the largest gas rich countries in the world that production capacity exceeds domestic consumption and gas injection requirements. Gas can be utilized as feed stock in petrochemical plants and refineries or exported through pipeline or LNG. Through reinjection of gas to oil reservoirs, while increasing the oil recovery ratios, the produced gases from fields shared with other countries could be stored into domestic gas fields.Gas consumption in domestic markets and its substitution with oil products, in addition to providing environmental benefits, will also result in optimum consumption of these products and relieving the government from the heavy burden of existing and heavy expenditures of importing these products from foreign countries.The need for energy sources in the world along with the enormous natural gas reserves in the country opens broad economical/political dialogue scene towards us and contributes an outstanding strategic significance to our gas resources. Supplying gas requirements, proper and timely production and operation of joint reservoirs such as the south pars with the intention of supplying gas requirements and providing balance of supply and demand as well as maximum utilization of our share in these fields are other development requirements of this significant industry.For planning and policy making regarding the development of gas industry, it is essential to manage all aspects of gas from exploration and production to consumption, injection and exports and etc. through a sole administrative institution so that prearranged plans could be implemented without becoming subjected to such problems as lack of coordination parallel activities and organization al problems. Gas fuels consumption occupies one half of Iran's energy consumption, and to increment this share, the government should increase investment in the gas sector.Natural gas while being utilized as a clean fuel in domestic markets can become a device to implement gas injection to oil production from the countries reserves as well as gas exports towards presence in international venues and commercializing gas globally.Prediction indicates that natural gas being the favorable fuel of the present century, will enjoy the largest growth among items within the energy basket and during the next twenty years as well, the growth of natural gas demand in the world will exceed other conventional energy sources. In the future, due to various factors such as vaster accessible sources and reserves, developed technologies which in effect reduce project expenditure and construction periods and consequently improve the economy of developing gas transmission projects, as well as global endeavors to curtail emission of green house gases, are the major reasons for gas consumption growth.Iran, in respect to her geographical and political strategic situation, can play a leading role in global gas supply and act in Europe and Asia. Natural gas still maintains the fastest consumption growth rate among the world's primary energies and is realized to have the highest consumption growth among the developing countries.Gas has been recognizing as the fuel for the future. This is entirely evident as a result of decreasing global resources due to environmental considerations. According to IEA estimates, in year 2015, oil demand will reach 93 million barrels and natural gas demand will reach 64 million barrels of oil equivalent. This in effect is a 20% increase for oil and 45% for gas in regard to current figures in conclusion. It could be stated that more than ever before, gas has gained significance and is the leading basis for modern services in energy, and in the long term is considered a bridge towards a hydrogen resource based economy.Gas as a new fuel, provides the modern technology of fuel cell construction for vehicles possible. To portray the enormity of Iran gas reserves it is enough to consider that Iran's natural gas reserves alone exceeds the total volume of natural gas reserves in USA, Canada, Europe and the entire Asia pacific.

Computing Thermal Properties of Natural Gas by Utilizing AGA8 Equation of State

In current study, an attempt has been made to develop a numerical method and a computer program to calculate the thermal properties of natural gas mixture such as enthalpy and internal energy in addition of the compressibility factor using AGA8 state equation. The method has been applied to a typical Iranian natural gas mixture to calculate the thermal properties of the gas. Finally, the developed program has been utilized to model single reservoir fast filling process of a typical natural gas vehicle on-board cylinder. The computed results have been compared with simulation results of same process (fast filling) in which the pure methane was acted as working fluid. The results show the similar trends and good agreements.