Second Pre-Seminar of the International Conference on Investment and Financing in the Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Industries

Identifying Investment Opportunities and Enhancing Active Participation in the Oil and Gas Sector

Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Hajian, faculty member at Allameh Tabataba’i University and Scientific and Executive Secretary of the conference, stated that the conference aims to better identify investment opportunities and encourage more active participation in the oil and gas industry. Participants are invited to play a meaningful role in this process.

He emphasized the importance of addressing financing and investment issues in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, particularly in the post-12-Day War context. Dr. Hajian noted that the country’s need for collaboration and strategic planning in this sector has never been greater. He stressed that, despite challenging conditions, it is essential to pursue the development and financing of national oil and gas projects with determination and effort.

Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Hajian announced that the conference secretariat has received 250 article abstracts from both domestic and international contributors, including the United States, India, China, and Russia. Out of these, 85 papers have been accepted for presentation at the conference. All accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings.

He emphasized that efforts by various stakeholders and institutions in recent years have improved financing conditions in the sector. Dr. Hajian expressed confidence that, with the collaboration and commitment of the academic and media community, the conference can take effective steps toward the development of Iran’s oil, gas, and petrochemical industries.

From Theory to Practice: Ensuring the Conference Delivers Real Solutions

Dr. Mohammad Reza Vijeh emphasized that the conference is not intended to be a ceremonial event. Rather, it aims to generate scientific and practical solutions for the development of Iran’s oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. He added that significant progress has already been made and that Allameh Tabataba’i University fully supports the International Conference on Investment and Financing in the Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Industries.

Bridging the Gap Between Academic Research and Industry Needs

Dr. Hamidreza Oloumi Yazdi, Chair of the Conference, explained the organization of the event. He noted that four pre-seminars on investment and financing in oil, gas, petrochemical, and banking sectors were held before the main conference, scheduled for October 27–28, 2025 (5–6 Aban 1404 ).

Dr. Oloumi Yazdi also mentioned that the deadline for submitting article abstracts ended on August 22, 2025, and that authors who submitted abstracts have until 31 Shahrivar, September 21, 2025, to submit full papers. He highlighted the significant participation of academics, students, and professors, noting that a wide range of diverse and engaging topics related to investment in oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors have been presented.

He concluded with the hope that the conference will lead to practical and tangible results, particularly in alignment with the national slogan emphasizing investment for production and development.

Bridging Academia and Industry in Iran’s Gas Sector

Dr. Hamidreza Oloumi Yazdi, emphasizing the importance of effective communication between academia and industry, stated that the main challenge lies in the gap between university research and industry needs, which must be addressed. Pre-seminars like this, attended by senior industry managers, provide academics with a better understanding of real-world industrial challenges, enabling research papers and panels to produce more practical solutions.

According to this law professor at Allameh Tabataba’i University, one potential financing method for investment in the gas sector is crowdfunding, which channels small-scale public savings away from gold or foreign currency into the development of Iran’s gas industry and sustainable gas production.

Supply and Demand Imbalances: A Key Challenge

Abdollah Younes-Ara, Deputy Director of Planning and Evaluation at the Integrated Planning Department of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), highlighted that 73% of Iran’s fossil energy comes from natural gas, making it the country’s largest energy source. Last year, an average of 765 million cubic meters of gas was delivered daily to consumers, while 850–900 million cubic meters of sour gas were received daily from the National Iranian Oil Company.

Under the Seventh Development Plan, gas consumption is projected to reach 1.15 billion cubic meters per day. Younes-Ara clarified that the NIGC is not a gas producer but receives gas from the oil company, processes it in refineries to produce sweet gas, and delivers it to consumers. By the end of the Seventh Plan, daily delivery is expected to reach 1.34 billion cubic meters.

He added that during winter, daily gas delivery will average 1 billion cubic meters, sometimes reaching 1.15 billion cubic meters, compared with last year’s average of 760 million cubic meters—a 30% increase in production under the Seventh Plan.

One of the main challenges in the gas industry is the imbalance between supply and demand, which requires consumption management and revision of relevant laws and regulations. Achieving the objectives of the Seventh Plan will require $42 billion in investment, including $19 billion for gas refining, $11 billion for transmission, and the remainder for distribution, export, and storage.

Younes-Ara emphasized that the gas sector is a prime investment opportunity, given its pivotal role across various industries, including petrochemicals, steel, and cement. Domestic and foreign investors are ready to maximize resource utilization and reduce production and consumption constraints.

New Horizons for Collaboration in the Gas Industry

Dr. Mansoureh Ram, Director of Investment and Business Development at NIGC, noted that Iran possesses the second-largest natural gas reserves in the world, approximately 32 trillion cubic meters, and is currently the third-largest producer and fourth-largest consumer of natural gas. Given the country’s population and geographic size, effective supply and consumption policies are essential.

The gas supply chain includes refineries, oil facilities, and storage reservoirs, which are used seasonally for gas storage and withdrawal. Major consumers include power plants, households, commercial sectors, and industries such as petrochemicals, steel, and cement.

Dr. Ram emphasized that addressing the supply-demand imbalance requires annual investments of approximately $42 billion over a five-year plan, funded by both the government and private sector. Challenges include return on investment, bureaucratic hurdles, and limited private-sector participation. Currently, the only active private participants in the supply chain are flare gas buyers, whose volume is limited.

Addressing Supply-Demand Imbalances and Investment Opportunities

According to Dr. Mansoureh Ram, strategies to address supply-demand imbalances include increasing production and storage capacity, optimizing energy consumption, and implementing effective energy management. She emphasized that the development of transmission infrastructure and expansion of pipeline and electricity networks is also essential. Under the Seventh Development Plan, a centralized framework has been established to optimize management and reduce imbalances in the gas sector.

Dr. Ram further highlighted that investment opportunities in Iran’s oil and gas industry, given domestic demand and existing potential, require precise policymaking, reduced bureaucracy, and active participation of both domestic and foreign investors to achieve sustainable development and meet national energy needs.

Carbon Reduction in the Gas Industry: A Driver of Economic Growth and Investment

Dr. Ali-Asghar Rajabi, Director of Energy and Carbon at the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), emphasized that reducing carbon emissions and adopting green technologies can play a significant role in attracting investment to the gas sector. He noted that in recent years, climate change and carbon reduction have become global priorities.

Dr. Rajabi added that the global oil and gas industry is rapidly undergoing major changes in energy production and consumption, which not only benefit the environment but also create an attractive landscape for domestic and foreign investment.

He emphasized that as one of the largest natural gas producers in the world, Iran must consider environmental compliance alongside economic efficiency to attract new investments and ensure sustainable growth in the gas industry.

Carbon Reduction as a Competitive Advantage in Iran’s Gas Industry

According to Dr. Ali-Asghar Rajabi, reducing carbon emissions in gas production and transmission processes not only improves environmental performance but also serves as a competitive advantage for attracting investors.

Dr. Rajabi highlighted the potential of advanced carbon-reduction technologies in the gas sector, noting that the development and implementation of new technologies, such as carbon capture and storage systems and the conversion of gas into cleaner energy, can help address environmental challenges while simultaneously attracting green investments.

He emphasized that such investments, particularly in research and development of new technologies, can steer the gas industry toward higher efficiency and lower emissions.

In conclusion, Dr. Rajabi stated that Iran’s gas industry, given its vast production and transmission capacities, has significant potential to attract investments in green and decarbonization projects. By implementing these programs, the industry can reduce environmental impact while strengthening its position in the global energy market.