فرهاد فرامرزپور

In this research, we focused on the various contractual requirements (legal, financial, and technical) governing Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) contracts, with an emphasis on upstream contracts in Iran. We examined the contractual requirements in all three areas and, in light of these, proposed recommendations for EOR/IOR contracts. Since oil and gas production in many of Iran's fields has entered the second half of its life cycle, the implementation of EOR/IOR contracts to ensure sustainable production and maximize economic benefits has become inevitable. This study also reviews Iran’s upstream oil contracts from the concession era to the IPC, considering the Oil Laws (passed in ۱۹۵۷, ۱۹۷۴, ۱۹۸۷, and ۲۰۱۱), the Ministry of Petroleum's duties and powers, the Cabinet’s decision on the "General Terms, Structure, and Model of Upstream Oil and Gas Contracts" (۲۰۱۶), as well as the Economic Council’s decision on the revitalization of low-yield/inactive oil wells through collaboration between technology companies and well services companies (WSC) (۲۰۲۳). The research also takes into account the Five-Year Development Plans, the Law for Removing Barriers to Production, and the Financial System Improvement Law (۲۰۱۵) as essential elements of the study.

The findings of this research show that, due to the relatively low average oil recovery factor from Iran's reservoirs compared to the global average, the implementation of EOR/IOR projects is not only a recommendation but a technical, legal, and regulatory necessity. The repeated emphasis in national laws and regulations on sustainable production and increasing the recovery factor from reservoirs underscores the critical importance of these operations for the preservation and optimal exploitation of hydrocarbon resources.

This research emphasizes that success in implementing EOR/IOR operations requires a comprehensive and tra  arent legal, financial, and contractual framework. With the necessary amendments to current regulations and the implementation of incentivizing policies, it is expected that the recovery factor in Iran’s oil fields will increase and long-term oil production will remain sustainable. Therefore, it is recommended that the approval and implementation of standardized contracts for EOR operations be a significant step towards attracting technology companies and providing a suitable foundation for sustainable development in this sector.