National Iranian Gas Company Research Articles

The Role of Planned Behavior in Predicting Customer Orientation

The purpose of this qualitative research was to investigate the role of planned behavior in predicting customer orientation in the Iranian gas industry. The participants were 17 experts from the National Iranian Gas Company who were selected using purposive sampling and based on theoretical saturation. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using thematic analysis and MAXQDA software. The results showed that attitude toward behavior (favorable behavior, pleasant behavior, behavior appraisal), subjective norms (peer pressure, family pressure, social pressure), perceived behavioral control (past experience, anticipation of future events, environmental norms), knowledge (up-to-date knowledge, behavior-related knowledge, education), ethical norms (responsibility, ethical principles, resilience), and discipline (organization, order, streamlining) are important components in predicting customer orientation in the gas industry. The results can help managers in the energy sector to improve their customer orientation and performance through planned behavior.

From traditional to modern methods: Comparing and introducing the most powerful model for forecasting the residential natural gas demand

Natural gas demand forecasting is of great importance for politicians and authorities, specifically in the residential sector, as a substantial percentage of residential energy consumption is related to natural gas. In order to find the best forecasting model, comparing different methods in each particular problem is crucial to evaluate the power of various models and find the most accurate model. This article has selected multi-layer perceptron and support vector machine as two neural network models and vector autoregression and multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic as two econometric models to forecast monthly natural gas demand in the residential sector of Tehran province for 24 months, from the beginning of March 2019 to the end of February 2021. Six variables were used, including weather variables which strongly affect natural gas consumption and improve the accuracy of forecasts. Data for the mentioned variables have been obtained monthly from the National Iranian Gas Company and tutiempo.net from March 2003 till February 2021. The proposed models’ results have been compared using mean square error criterion (MSE), root mean square error criterion (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error criterion (MAPE). The research findings confirm that multi-layer perceptron model had the best performance among four proposed models with the lowest measure of error.

A novel two-phase algorithm for a centralised production planning problem by symmetric weighted DEA approach: a case study in energy efficiency

This paper proposes a novel two-phase algorithm for a centralised production planning problem that covers both long-term and mid-term planning simultaneously. Mid-term decisions (first phase) include determining the amount of new inputs and outputs of units in the next production period and long-term decisions (second phase) are related to planning to create a new efficient production unit. The first phase includes a data envelopment analysis approach with symmetric weights through the penalty function. The second phase includes combining data envelopment analysis and response surface methods. In order to evaluate the proposed method, the National Iranian Gas Company is considered as a real case problem. The results show the superiority of the algorithm in both phases over similar methods. The main advantage of the first phase is the realistic production plan. Also, the main advantage of the second phase is optimising the response surface functions and maximising the efficiency of the unit at the same time using one model. [Submitted: 18 March 2021; Accepted: 27 September 2021]

An Optimal Model for Designing and Executing Windows in Tabriz Residential Buildings to Reduce Energy Consumption

Most of today's buildings, due to improper imitation of the architecture of buildings in other countries, are forced to use more energy to create conditions of thermal comfort. Building windows affect energy efficiency. So, the aim of this research is to be concerned with Tabriz climate; in selecting the proportion and suitable glazing of the windows, in order to access the best design and execute a model to decrease energy consumption. The research approach is to utilize simulation and Design Builder software as a research tool. So, the annual gas consumed in the Building was received from the National Iranian Gas Company and a case study is modeled and after converting the unit from kWh to kg and kg to m3 and reliability of simulation results. Then, through parametric optimization, eight scenarios in designing windows and through the genetic algorithm, the glazing coating were evaluated. The simulations were performed again and the results index was examined. Eventually, based on the analysis of outputs, according to fixed area, it is more suitable to replace windows with the height of 1.5 to 1.74 meters instead of windows with the height of 1 or 1.2 meters. A window should be replaced with 2, 3, 4 or 5 windows with the same fixed area. I is desired to superseded triple-glazed glazing with low-emissivity filled with argon gas with clear double-glazed glazing filled with air to reduce energy consumption. The amount of heat losses for the window height of 1 to 1.5m, from one window to five windows and for the clear double-glazed glazing filled with air were 2.04%, 11.11%,. and 45.36%, respectively.

Optimization of Thermal Performance of Windows in Intermediate Housing in Cold and Dry Climate of Tabriz

Windows in the building are the biggest elements of heat loss through convective heat transfer. The purpose of study is to select appropriate dimensions for windows relative to shell and appropriate glazing for windows, in order to achieve optimal pattern to reduce energy consumption. The research method is based on the simulation and research tool is DesignBuilder software. Therefore, amount of natural gas consumed annually in the studied building was received from the National Iranian Gas Company and then the basic research was modeled by software and after converting unit from kWh to m3 and validating simulation results. In the next step, the range of 20% to 80% of window-to-wall-ratio, types of glazing and window height is considered and through parametric optimization, all conditions in the windows are simulated and analyzed for sensitivity index. The calculations confirm that in an intermediate residential building with a rotation of 12 degrees to the southeast in Tabriz, by reducing window-to-wall-ratio from 50% to 20% and replacing triples-glazed-glazing with a low-emission coating filled with argon gas with a transparent single-glazed glazing and UPVC frame and a canopy with a depth of 48cm and windows height of 1.5m, the heat losses were reduced by 60.34% and 75.24%, respectively.

Iran in the emerging global natural gas market: A scenario-based competitive analysis and policy assessment

Price fluctuations, environmental concerns, technological development, unconventional resources, energy security challenges, and shipping availability are some of the forces that have contributed to energy markets becoming more dynamic and complex in the last decade. This research analyzes the global natural gas market (GNGM) situation for the case of the National Iranian Gas Company. Iran as the owner of the second-largest natural gas proved reserves strives to enhance its market share in the GNGM. Recently, international gas markets are gradually evolving from traditional local/regional markets into a more interconnected GNGM. A comprehensive competitive analysis, Porter's five forces, scenario-based planning model is proposed and developed. It assesses the current status and trends associated with the GNGM applying its findings to provide insights into how Iran might potentially expand its share of the GNGM. The GNGM five-forces-based scenario analysis conducted focuses upon and presents: (1) Rivalry among existing participants; (2) Bargaining power of suppliers; (3) Bargaining power of buyers; (4) Threats from new entrants and (5) Threats from substitutes. The proposed scenario-based competitive analysis reveals three key strategies that should protect Iran's position in the evolving energy markets and promote its future share of the GNGM.

Developing natural-gas-supply security to mitigate distribution disruptions: A case study of the National Iranian Gas Company

Stable natural-gas supply and reduction of distribution disruptions play a crucial role in the socio-economic wellbeing and support sustainable development. The socio-technical nature of disruption compels implementation of an interdisciplinary perspective using a lens of supply-chain management. In this manner, disruption drivers are present in the internal, network, and environmental categories. Further, a quantitative method is necessary to evaluate and minimize the occurrence and effect of disruptions by promoting capability development. Therefore, natural-gas-supply security (NGSS), as a hierarchical and multi-dimensional construct, is considered to develop these capabilities. The effect of NGSS on mitigating gas-distribution disruptions, which is based on the contingency theory, is investigated to shed light on what a company should do to mitigate disruptions. Structural equation modeling is also applied to analyze the data collected through a survey questionnaire in Tehran Province Gas Company. The results show that NGSS, in the context of disruption mitigation at the company level, consists of three main dimensions: availability, infrastructure, and governance. The findings suggest that availability can be achieved by not only a sufficient supply but also efficient energy use. Further, behavioral and technological changes are essential. In addition, policies and regulations are not sufficient to develop governance; thus, structure, systems, and monitoring should be emphasized. The conclusion of this study provides an empirical basis and some insights into capabilities that aim to mitigate disruptions. These capabilities can provide reinforcement to transparency, trust, risk-management culture, and integrated supply–demand approach to prevent fluctuations in gas availability, thus promoting infrastructure that deals with environmental sustainability and subsequently addresses disruptions.

Presenting a model for scheduling natural gas transmission via pipeline using a mathematical programming model

The need for natural gas transmission facilities for dispatching from production hubs to the consumption nodes has been grown increasingly. Considering the high cost of such facilities, optimal design of the facilities and optimisation of the gas transmission operation are of paramount importance. The aim of research is to present a hybrid model based on weighted sum and scale method to optimise the operation of gas transmission networks. The model has two objective functions: 1) minimisation of the operation and annual maintenance costs; 2) optimisation of the system performance during its useful life. Hybridisation of the two objective functions has been the main focus of this research. The proposed model was tested on a real case, which data was provided by National Iranian Gas Company, and solved using particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm, with the results indicating appropriate efficiency of the presented model for solving real cases.

Providing an Optimal Execution Model for Windows Based on Glazing to Reduce Fossil Fuel Consumption (Case Study: Asman Residential Complex of Tabriz)

According to statistics provided by the Iranian Statistics Center,40% of energy consumption is related to the housing sector. Windows as a component of exterior wall, Responsible for 20-30% of all energy infiltration. Therefore, the purpose of this study, is to optimize residential windows in cold and dry climate of Tabriz in order to reduce energy consumption. The research method is based on simulation with two methods parametric optimization and genetic algorithm. The research tool is Design Builder software. So, the amount of annual gas consumption in the case study was received from the National Iranian Gas Company and then the basic research model is modeled in software and after converting the unit from kWh to m3 and validating the obtained results from simulation, in the next step, the type of glazing and frame are changed and then the sensitivity is analyzed by the two mentioned methods. The results showed that by replacing windows with triple glazed-glazing with low emission coating filled with argon, krypton and xenon gas and UPVC frame with clear double glazed-glazing filled with argon gas and iron frame, annual gas consumption for heating decreased by 52.43%, 55.34% and 56.60% and the heat loss from the windows is reduced by 7.97%, 9.54% and 10.49%, respectively.

Social capital, psychological resilience and job burnout in hazardous work environments

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to improve our understanding of the role of social capital in increasing psychological resilience and reducing job burnout. We collected data through a survey distributed among 234 employees in the National Iranian Gas Company as one of the top-10 international companies producing and refining natural gas derivatives. Seven hypotheses and a conceptual model were validated using structural equation modelling. We found social capital is crucial to reducing job burnout among employees who are exposed to hazardous work environments. We also found psychological resilience plays a facilitating role in promoting the negative correlation between social capital and job burnout. The findings assist to conceptualise relationships between managers and employees in hazardous work environments. This research provides empirical evidence that adopting the social capital perspective can assist organisations to improve the role of psychological resilience among employees, leading to reducing job burnout in the long-term.

Developing the business model of research and technology department of National Iranian Gas Company

Regarding to the mission of R&T department of National Iranain Gas Company (NIGC) which is responsible for technological and innovative support of NIGC, in this study first, it is surveyed how much the business model of this department is compliance with its mission and then based on acquired result the implication have been offered for improving and evolving of its business model. For this purpose, comprehensive business model of corporate research and technology department were developed by configuration methodology and based on extractions from literature and its implementation mechanisms were explain. In the next step, the current business model of R&T department of NIGC was developed. Finally, the current business model of R&T department of NIGC is compared with the model derived from the literature and existing shortcomings in the business model identified and necessary recommendations to improve the performance of this department has been proposed.

Developing the business model of research and technology department of National Iranian Gas Company

Developing the business model of research and technology department of National Iranian Gas Company

Iran’s Strategy for Natural Gas

Natural gas as one the most significant fossil fuels is playing a crucial role in national energy mix in different countries. Nevertheless, its applications have not been limited to energy providing, and has been used widely as the feed stock in production of different varieties of petrochemicals. So that most of new petrochemical complexes around the country are designed and constructed based on natural gas feed. Natural gas was produced as one of the byproducts of crude oil and mostly was burned. Gradually along with increasing volumes of extracted natural gas, planning on gathering and using associated gas resulted in more usage of natural gas in different sectors including petrochemical feed and fuel. Following the developments, National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) was established in 1965 as one of the subsidiaries of the petroleum ministry with initial capital of 25 million Rials. Since its establishment, NIGC has gradually achieved capabilities and managed to have access to various sources and facilities such as experts and efficient human force equipped with scientific and theoretical vision and knowledge, tools, equipment, machinery and various advanced workshops for implementing its operations proportionate with the economic and social development trend of the country, so that it can independently accomplish all the related tasks complying with the valid international acceptable standards. Today, NIGC as one of the 4 mail subsidiaries of petroleum ministry is supplying more than 70 percent of total energy in the country as well as the feed stock for tens of petrochemical and industrial complexed around the country. The company also is operating one of the biggest high pressure gas transmission and distribution networks of the world facilitating export, import, transit and swap of natural gas in the country. In the point of natural gas treatment and supply, the company has the first position in the Middle East and one of major gas companies around the world. At the time being, the number of the NIGC permanent staff is more than19000official staff and more than 19300 total staff

An empirical study on factors influencing technology transfer using structural equation modelling

This paper aims to determine the factors influencing technology transfer (TT) in an empirical study using structural equation modelling (SEM). A sample of 100 experts working in the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) as empirical study is randomly selected. The data are collected through the questionnaire and then analysed using LISREL software. Results show that law and policy, companies' capabilities, skilled human resource, localisation of technology, and characteristics of technology significantly influence on the technology transfer. In addition, it is shown that the highest correlation is between companies' capabilities and technology transfer. Fit indices show that the model has an appropriate fit. In general, building and strengthening law and policy, companies' capabilities, skilled human resource and localisation of technology could suitably improve the technology transfer.

Application of Fuzzy Expert Systems to Manage the Projects Time in Iranian Gas Refineries

The National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) is one of the top ten gas companies in the gas industry in the Middle East and is comprised of 7 gas refineries. So this company needs to apply the most optimum time management methods to achieve its goals. Custom scheduling calculation of project planning uses the Critical Path Method (CPM) as a tool for Planning Projects activities. CPM is now widely used in planning and managing projects but in spite of its wide application, this method has a critical weak point of not taking into account the uncertainties in scheduling calculation. This article aims to present a precise method based on the application of Fuzzy Expert Systems in order to improve the Time Estimation Method in construction projects and in this regard, reviews the results of the implementation of this method in construction projects of Iranian Gas Refineries. The results show that the proposed method increases the accuracy of time estimation about 7 to 22 percent.

Selecting an Appropriate Strategy to Increase Petrochemical Product Sales (Case Study: Iranian Petrochemical Industry)

This article aims to find the best strategies which help increase petrochemical products sales in Iran using multivariate regression model, Grand Strategy Matrix (GSM), and SWOT matrix. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development by creating and developing chemical cities or parks, petro-chemical refineries, and Especial Economic Zones, Vertical Integration, and Concentric Diversification with Diverse Portfolio were considered independent variables, while Increasing Petrochemical Product Sales is dependent variable. Then, each of above mentioned factors affecting the sales were ranked in order to take advantage of the highest added-value. The statistical population consisted of 140 experts, managers, directors, and customers involved in National Iranian Gas Company and Iran Petrochemical Company. Random sampling method was employed. A total of 57experts, managers, directors, and customers were enrolled as sample size. Data were collected using a five-option Likert scale questionnaire. SPSS, Grand Strategy Matrix (GSM), and SWOT[1] matrix were employed to analyze the data. According to the Cronbach's alpha (0.86), the reliability was verified. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development, and Concentric Diversification with Diverse Portfolio were found to be suitable offensive strategies to increase the petrochemical product sales. Product Development and Market Penetration are the most effective factors in increasing the petrochemical product sales. Therefore, they need to be taken into account. [1]Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threats

Evaluation of the suggestions system performance using robust DEA model: The case of National Iranian Gas Company

The suggestions system is a part of total quality management to create individual and group spirit of partnership between staff and increase efficiency in the organization. Also, diagnosis and improvement process is one of the steps of the chain in the processes of suggestions system. In this study, an approach has been proposed to evaluate efficiency of organizations in performing suggestions system with these aims: (1) Reviewing all the elements in the successful implementation of the suggestions system and (2) providing an effective scientific approach to evaluate the organizations on implementing this system considering the uncertainty in the data. Methodology used in this study included the following techniques: (1) Factor analyzing to clarify the internal correlation between significant criteria and detect the major criteria and (2) using robust data envelopment analysis (RDEA) model to evaluate efficiency of organizations in performing suggestions system. The method is based on 3 inputs and 17 outputs in which some outputs are uncertain scores in form of intervals with uncertain bounds. This model has been solved for different Γs, and a value of weights and rankings for each Decision Making Unit (DMU) has been saved by using the obtained values. In the following a simulation has been used to compute the conformity of the rankings from the RDEA model with reality. Doing so shows that the maximum conformity occurs Γ = 6. Therefore, we can conclude that specific values of Γ can maximize conformity and thus more authentic final rankings for the DMUs in this interval of Γ may be expected.

Develop an Information Technology Model to Improve Customer Service in NIGCS1

Abstract Organizations increasingly rely on information technology to improve performance. Less researches and empirical data's exist about the integrated relation between IT and the companies’ performance in gas industry. IT made the companies more responsible and flexible. This paper developed a comprehensive and proper IT model as business processes basic infrastructure to improve customer services in National Iranian Gas Company's subsides (provincial Gas Companies). After extensive literature, first, business processes which are related to customer services were imposed, and then IT layers were developed to improve business process. In order to refine this model, a group of 35 NIGCS's technical experts and managers have been interviewed. Result showed that this model can effect on customer service in provincial Gas Companies and this model can be taken as frame of reference by other similar structure companies.

On variable reductions in data envelopment analysis with an illustrative application to a gas company

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a non-parametric data oriented method for evaluating relative efficiency of the number of decision making units (DMUs) based on pre-selected inputs and outputs. In some real DEA applications, the large number of inputs and outputs, in comparison with the number of DMUs, is a pitfall that could have major influence on the efficiency scores. Recently, an approach was introduced which aggregates collected inputs and outputs in order to reduce the number of inputs and outputs iteratively. The purpose of this paper is to show that there are three drawbacks in this approach: instability due to existence of an infinitesimal epsilon, iteratively which can be improved to just one iteration, and providing non-radial inputs and outputs and then capturing them. In order to illustrate the applicability of the improved approach, a real data set involving 14 large branches of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) is utilized.

Designing and Testing the Model of Learners' Satisfaction towards On-The-Job Training Courses Case: National Iranian Gas Company

Staff development and improving job status done through training is concerned as important parts of Human Resource Management in the third millennium organizations. In the US companies, 135 billion dollars is allocated each year for training (Patel, 2010) and most of Asian rich countries are also trying to review their educational sytems to make required changes for enrichment of economy (Kayani, 2008:3). Continuity of the training needs to use and apply a uniformed system to promote staff's satisfaction and effectiveness of training process. The aim of this paper is to design and test the Model of Learners' Satisfaction about on-the-job training courses among those staff working in National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC). Statistical population consisted of 40000 staff working in NIGC among which 384 persons were randomly selected based on multi-stage clustering sampling method. Data were obtained via two survey questionnaires (Salanova, 2009; NIGC, 2013) with highly acceptable validity and reliability (α=0.82%). Findings, based on Regression Analysis, showed that the best predictors for learners' satisfaction about OJT courses would respectively be planning and implementation, content, time, goals and priority, executive management, need assessment, way of evaluation, welfare and services, teacher's ability, facilities and equipments. Furthermore, indices of the proposed model represented the goodness fitness of the model. Finally, some required suggestions and ways were delivered.