Oil and Gas Economics and Management
Mohammad Tavakkoli Mohammadi; Abbas Alimoradi; Mohsen Sarvi
Abstract
The research on the Markowitz model and optimization of its portfolio using a variety of evaluation indicators and metaheuristic-algorithms has always been the focus of attention of accounting and finance researchers. The results of studies carried out by various types of optimization method are different ...
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The research on the Markowitz model and optimization of its portfolio using a variety of evaluation indicators and metaheuristic-algorithms has always been the focus of attention of accounting and finance researchers. The results of studies carried out by various types of optimization method are different in the Markowitz modified models. The purpose of this study is to measure the optimal portfolio and its corresponding return with respect to the portfolio in the traditional Markowitz model as well as comparing the position of the refining and petrochemical companies versus stock market outperformers through integrating the operational criteria and the new indicators of liquidity by using the genetic algorithm in the Markowitz model. Therefore, financial data related to the research variables of 35 cases of refinery and petrochemical companies listed on Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) from 2012 to 2016 fiscal years were extracted from Rahavard Novin database software and simulated by the genetic algorithm. The results show that returns on the stock portfolios optimized using the genetic algorithm without considering the liquidity limitations and filters are significantly and positively different from the returns on the stock portfolios optimized with regarding the liquidity limitations and filters. Furthermore, the application of liquidity limitations and filters to the formation of the optimal stock portfolios leads to a conservative increase in the choice of stocks (portfolio formation), which results in a reduction in the risk and return of investment in such portfolios.
Oil and Gas Economics and Management
Mansoureh Ram; Atefeh Taklif; Ali Faridzad
Abstract
The liberalization of natural gas markets and the emergence of gas hubs in recent decades have shifted the natural gas trade from the regional to the global trade. The growth and maturity of these hubs have weakened the previously established relationship between the natural gas price and the prices ...
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The liberalization of natural gas markets and the emergence of gas hubs in recent decades have shifted the natural gas trade from the regional to the global trade. The growth and maturity of these hubs have weakened the previously established relationship between the natural gas price and the prices of crude oil and petroleum products. Therefore, predicting the price of gas as a strategic commodity has become more important for different countries. Using the neural network method, this paper attempts to develop a model of the monthly prediction of natural gas price. Based on the time series data from 2012 to April 2019 as the input to the neural network, this model predicts the prices in five hubs and natural gas exchange centers in Europe. Based on the R2 performance evaluation index of 98% of the neural network model fitted based on the aforementioned data series, the neural network model has acceptable performance in predicting the natural gas price. The results of this study show that using the artificial neural network (ANN) method, the gas prices in the European gas hubs, which are located in European countries, can be predicted with a high degree of accuracy.
Oil and Gas Economics and Management
Pedram Edalat; Gholam Reza Salehi; Shahab Shahriari
Abstract
The economics of two different power generation systems for an offshore complex installed in the Persian Gulf is considered. The base case defines the present condition in which the total power demand of the complex is supplied by burning the associated natural gas extracted from the platform on board ...
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The economics of two different power generation systems for an offshore complex installed in the Persian Gulf is considered. The base case defines the present condition in which the total power demand of the complex is supplied by burning the associated natural gas extracted from the platform on board in its thermal power plant. The purposed scenario considers a wind farm located near Bardekhun in Bushehr province to be connected to the complex power network and shares its power generated by renewable resources with the platform. The average wind speed and the wind turbine power generation are considered to have uncertainty. Thus, Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) is used to consider the uncertainties in the average wind speed and the wind turbine power generation. The purposed scenario is found obviously more beneficial with some conservative assumptions. The results show an about 30% reduction in pollution and a profit of $3 million in a year
Oil and Gas Economics and Management
Abed Akbari; Tahere Moghri Moazen
Abstract
The pipeline project, Nord Stream 2 (NS2), has been an issue of controversies. Russia and Germany consider the project an economic contract, but the United-States and Eastern European countries have concerns about its geopolitical effects. These disputes have created a divide in Europe and have posed ...
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The pipeline project, Nord Stream 2 (NS2), has been an issue of controversies. Russia and Germany consider the project an economic contract, but the United-States and Eastern European countries have concerns about its geopolitical effects. These disputes have created a divide in Europe and have posed a threat to trans-Atlantic relations. The current research suggests NS2 can influence the strategic balance between great powers in the international system, giving energy leverage to Russia against United-States, and consequently to China by strengthening projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Our findings put forward that not only NS2, in case of realization, is a source of American decline, but also the debates on the issue are a sign of American struggling for protecting its precarious international position. By placing Europe in front of the United-States, NS2 could be one component of European strategic autonomy (ESA); meanwhile, it may jeopardize ESA by depending on Europe on Russia. Europe’s solution to gain ESA is to use its leverages such as normative one to manage the situation for outcomes like protecting Europe’s unity and economic interests.
Energy Management and Engineering
Saeid Tavakoli; Farideh Haghshenas Kashani; Alireza Amirkabiri
Abstract
Today, the strategy of outsourcing management, in economic enterprises and especially in governmental organizations, is one of the crucial issues in the field of procurement chain management and strategic alliance management. This issue in public organizations and institutions has its importance too. ...
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Today, the strategy of outsourcing management, in economic enterprises and especially in governmental organizations, is one of the crucial issues in the field of procurement chain management and strategic alliance management. This issue in public organizations and institutions has its importance too. Because these organizations usually have a wide range of missions and supply chains, they need a comprehensive plan for outsourcing according to macro policies and strategies. Despite this importance, few studies have addressed the models of outsourcing development in firms. Using the content analysis method, this study aims to explain the model of outsourcing development management in oil and gas industry. Also, a deductive approach applied to the theoretical framework is developed in practice through case analysis in Iranian Gas Transmission Company. This company has the control of most of physical oil and gas assets in Iran. In addition to the researchers’ observation and reviewing the related documents, the information required for the research was obtained through an interview with a significant number of senior managers and experts in Iran’s oil and gas industry. Using the theme analysis method, this information was analyzed, and the expected situation of the outsourcing development management in the industry, as well as its impact and interactions, was described and explained.
Law Studies
Hamid Reza Oloumi Yazdi; Mahyar Ebrahimi
Abstract
Natural gas infrastructure is growing and global LNG volumes are set to expand substantially. This results in more trade between different regions of the world and emergence of a more competitive and relatively more integrated global gas market. In addition, several key markets are currently undergoing ...
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Natural gas infrastructure is growing and global LNG volumes are set to expand substantially. This results in more trade between different regions of the world and emergence of a more competitive and relatively more integrated global gas market. In addition, several key markets are currently undergoing structural reform with the aim of opening them to competition. In line with these changes in the global market, gas pricing methods also need to be adapted. This paper discusses the challenges of natural gas pricing and price review in this new market environment. Firstly, the current structure of the global and regional gas markets is analyzed. Secondly, challenges in natural gas pricing and price review are discussed, and in this context oil-indexation and hub-indexation are analyzed in detail. Thirdly, the recommended framework for pricing and price review in the more competitive global market are presented. The pricing mechanism and price review framework should be tailored to the characteristics of the gas market and the stages of growth and maturity of the market.
Law Studies
Seyed mohammad Tabatabaeinejad; Foroogh Torabi
Abstract
Converting unused offshore oil and gas installations into artificial reefs as one of the alternative methods of decommissioning, is used in many coastal states across the globe for the purposes of coastal management, enhancement and attraction of living marine resources, protection and preservation goals. ...
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Converting unused offshore oil and gas installations into artificial reefs as one of the alternative methods of decommissioning, is used in many coastal states across the globe for the purposes of coastal management, enhancement and attraction of living marine resources, protection and preservation goals. Despite the positive impacts of artificial reefs, there are also potential negative impacts which require adequate maintenance of assets as well as, continuing monitoring and supervising. Although a lot of countries have comprehensive regulation on artificial reefs, many nations have blanket regulation requiring obsolete structures to be removed, yet it can bring about enormous environmental, socio-economic benefits. The sensitivity of deployment of structures as artificial reefs induced international and regional conventions to intervene and regulate the matter. The aim of this paper is to compare the most important international and regional conventions and critically compare and analysis them with the current Iran’s national laws and regulations. Iran is one of the biggest oil and gas producers and have a huge number of offshore installations which will require decommissioning in the coming years. Therefore, comprehensive national regulation should be enacted on decommissioning and also the possibility of creation artificial reefs. The authors seek out to evaluate the existing legislation in order to assess the potential capacity of Iran’s seas for converting the installations into artificial reefs.
Oil and Gas Economics and Management
Somayeh Alimoradi Jaghdari; Mohammad Reza Mehrabanpour; Ali Najafi Moghadam
Abstract
Companies have access to a variety of financial resources to implement available profitable investment projects, to settle overdue debts, to increase working capital, and to pay dividends to shareholders. These resources include cash from operating activities and the sale of assets (as intra-organizational ...
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Companies have access to a variety of financial resources to implement available profitable investment projects, to settle overdue debts, to increase working capital, and to pay dividends to shareholders. These resources include cash from operating activities and the sale of assets (as intra-organizational sources of financing), borrowing loans from the bank, issuance of bonds, and issuance of new shares (as outside the organization sources of financing). Financing and its effects on the returns and risk of the company choose sources that minimize financing costs. Then, to prioritize the parameters, the hierarchical method, Topsis, and ANP were used. The results of this study indicated that the factors of efficiency, cost, sustainability, being operational, fairness, and transparency have been the most important criteria for choosing the financing method, as well as forming sub-consortia, receiving facilities, issuing participation bonds, establishing investment companies, presence in the securities market, creating a shareholder plan, and finally attracting foreign capital have been identified as financing methods. Also, the transparency of the financing method in the surveyed companies to identify the appropriate financing method had the least importance.
Asgar Khademvatani; Abdolsalam Ebrahimpour
Abstract
Considering global warming and importance of sustainable growth in economic sub-sectors, this paper presents and estimates an empirical model of renewable energy consumption for the industrial sector of selected OPEC and non-OPEC countries over the period 1990-2014. Panel co-integration estimates by ...
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Considering global warming and importance of sustainable growth in economic sub-sectors, this paper presents and estimates an empirical model of renewable energy consumption for the industrial sector of selected OPEC and non-OPEC countries over the period 1990-2014. Panel co-integration estimates by Pedroni (1999,2004) and Westerlund (2005,2006) show that, in the long term, increases in industrial value added per capita, real oil prices, and CO2 per capita are found to be major drivers behind per capita renewable energy consumption for both OPEC and Non-OPEC nations. Panel Granger causality by the Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) method confirms that there are bi-directional causality relationship between research variables and therefore verify feedback hypothesis. Finally, FMOLS and DOLS results show that when industrial value added per person increases, per capital renewable energy consumption increases by greater magnitude in non-OPEC than OPEC countries; also an increase in CO2 emissions per person increases per capita renewable energy consumption by greater amount in non-OPEC than OPEC nations.
Accounting
Sayed Mohammad Javadi; Ali Mohammad Ghanbari; Arsalan Anisi
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the financial performance of provincial gas distribution companies as affiliates for National Iranian Gas Company. To this end, we identified financial performance indicators in accordance with the requirements of NIGC through a review of theoretical foundations ...
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the financial performance of provincial gas distribution companies as affiliates for National Iranian Gas Company. To this end, we identified financial performance indicators in accordance with the requirements of NIGC through a review of theoretical foundations and interviews with a number of financial and planning experts and then prioritized using the Analytical Hierarchy Process method. These indicators lied in four groups of liquidity, capital structure, profitability and activity criteria, respectively. Then, the weighted indicators were analyzed using TOPSIS technique in Expert-Choice software and the final ranking of the companies was provided. The results showed that based on the identified criteria, provincial gas companies of Hormozgan, Yazd, Markazi, and Kermanshah had a favorable financial performance and Ilam, Mazandaran, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and Zanjan provincial gas companies had a weak financial performance with respect to other companies in three years under review and some suggestions have been made in this regard.
Oil and Gas Economics and Management
Asghar Mir-Mohammad Tabar; Asgar Khademvatani; Vahid Mohammadi; Hamid Reza Hosseinimehr
Abstract
Expanding use of renewable energies (RE) around the world is a critical mission to reach to global environmental policies. Largest share of global energy mix relates to deployable and carbon-intensive fossil fuels. So, it is necessary to create proper incentives for investors to invest in RE in order ...
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Expanding use of renewable energies (RE) around the world is a critical mission to reach to global environmental policies. Largest share of global energy mix relates to deployable and carbon-intensive fossil fuels. So, it is necessary to create proper incentives for investors to invest in RE in order to move toward low carbon economy. In this regard, one of the implemented policies is imposing tax on using deployable energies which includes tax on both energy consumption and motor vehicle transportation. This paper investigates impact of environmental tax policy on investors’ behavior for 13 leading selected developed and developing countries during the period 2004-2016. Based on economic theory, investment, particularly in capital-intensive energy industries would have a long gestation period. To capture this feature and evaluate dynamic relations of investments in RE, a partial-adjustment dynamic model is applied and estimated using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) method. The results show that imposing tax on fossil fuel energy consumption and transportation systems, in particular that use fossil fuels, has a significant negative and positive impact on investing in RE, respectively. Also, empirical results demonstrate that there is a significant negative relation between interest rate (IR) and Investments in Renewable Energies (IRE).
Oil and Gas Economics and Management
Mahdi Rostami; Asghar Mirmohammadtabar; Nader Dashti
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental policies including price and non-price policies on natural gas demand in Iranian industrial sector. For this purpose, considering the dynamic nature of our panel data, we adopted Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) method to estimate natural gas ...
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This study aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental policies including price and non-price policies on natural gas demand in Iranian industrial sector. For this purpose, considering the dynamic nature of our panel data, we adopted Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) method to estimate natural gas consumption for 22 Iranian industries from 2005 to 2015. The results illustrated that the annual average of natural gas consumption has been rising, reaching five times higher than the consumption of other fossil fuels. Among the industries, other non-metallic minerals industry with 8 percent of the total production and more than 25 percent natural gas consumption have been regarded as the most natural gas consumer industry. The results of our GMM model showed that non-price environmental policies are more effective than the price policies on natural gas consumption. Overall, in non-price policies, energy intensity seems more important comparing to CO2 emission reduction. We recommend that governmental energy policies should focus more on energy intensity improvement in Iranian industries through technological enhancement and fuel energy saving regulations.
Mirhossein Mousavi; Mohammad Mazraati
Volume 1, Issue 1 , Autumn 2017, , Pages 3-8
Abstract
This paper explores the impact of crude oil futures prices on risk premium volatilities in the NYMEX futures market. For this purpose, the ARCH and GARCH methods are used to model risk premium volatilities and explore how crude oil futures prices influence the risk premium volatilities in futures contract ...
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This paper explores the impact of crude oil futures prices on risk premium volatilities in the NYMEX futures market. For this purpose, the ARCH and GARCH methods are used to model risk premium volatilities and explore how crude oil futures prices influence the risk premium volatilities in futures contract with a maturity of one-month, two-month and three-month over 1990-2014. In addition, it examines the impact of various maturities for futures contracts. The results indicate positive and statistically significant relationship between risk premium volatility and crude oil futures prices, and this relationship varies across the maturity length with change in maturity length. The longer the futures maturities, the higher the impact of futures crude oil prices on risk premium volatility is anticipated.
Sayed Mohammad Javadi; Abbas Alimoradi; Mohammad Reza Ashtiani
Abstract
Recent theories of firm dynamics emphasize on the role of financial variables as determinants of firm growth. Most of the technical literature shows that there is a positive relationship between financial leverage and firm growth. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether such relationship exists ...
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Recent theories of firm dynamics emphasize on the role of financial variables as determinants of firm growth. Most of the technical literature shows that there is a positive relationship between financial leverage and firm growth. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether such relationship exists among oil and gas companies within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Data were collected from the selected members of the OPEC. The collected data was then analyzed using the Arellano and Bond (1991) GMM method and Sargan test. The results showed a significant and positive relationship between financial leverage and firm growth which is in line with the technical literature. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by examining a specific and important sector within several different countries. It shows the current theory is not affected by industry or country.
Law Studies
Mahsa Farhaanjam; Abdolhossein Shiravi
Abstract
Energy has been always the focus of attention since the establishment of the WTO.The significance of this issue was doubled when the major energy-producing countries states sought to join the WTO.To join the WTO,many energy-producing and energy-exporting states inevitably needed to modify and change ...
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Energy has been always the focus of attention since the establishment of the WTO.The significance of this issue was doubled when the major energy-producing countries states sought to join the WTO.To join the WTO,many energy-producing and energy-exporting states inevitably needed to modify and change their own laws.The adoption of a dual pricing policy by the applicant countries appears as one of the controversial issues in this regard.By determining lower energy prices for their domestic producers,the energy-rich countries provide them with a superior position relative to their international rivals.From the perspective of some energy-importing countries,such behaviors are seen as subsidizes.Iran as one of the largest energy-rich states,has been seeking about twenty years to join the WTO.Iran subsidizes its domestic producers to support its energy sector and infant industries.This article focused on examining the pricing policies,and in particular,the approach to determine the price of energy in Iran.In addition,we studied of the impact of the pricing method of the energy sector in Iran on the process of its accession to the WTO by a comparative evaluation of the accession process of the energy-producing countries such asRussia andSaudi Arabia to the WTO.Through studying the laws and regulations of the energy sector of Iran, one can realize that Iran has been distancing from DP in recent years and is striving to approach the price of its energy to the global price by benefiting fromthe experiences of the performance of the membercountries of the WTO aimed at accelerating the process of its accession to the WTO
Accounting
Abbas Alimoradi; Asgar Khademvatani; Fariba Gholami
Abstract
The main purpose of this research is to explain why and how the stock liquidity affects the default risk of petrochemical and petroleum products companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange. The study used experimental data and parametric tests in order to estimate the relationship between stock liquidity ...
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The main purpose of this research is to explain why and how the stock liquidity affects the default risk of petrochemical and petroleum products companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange. The study used experimental data and parametric tests in order to estimate the relationship between stock liquidity and default risk through information efficiency and corporate governance roles of stock liquidity. The present research is applied in terms of purpose and is a descriptive-correlative study. All data required regarding the stock liquidity, price, trading volume and days, stockholder ownerships, etc., were extracted from Rahavard Novin database software. To investigate the relationship between variables, the multivariate regression analysis model using OLS method was applied in Eviews platform. The empirical findings showed that there is a significantly negative relationship between stock liquidity and default risk of petrochemical and petroleum product companies listed in TSE and also stock liquidity can affect the default risk through reducing the information asymmetry in the stock pricing process and strengthen the corporate governance. These results could provide visible signals based on the realities of the market in order to improve models to assess and predict the risk of default and lead managers and decision makers of suppliers, customers, partners and stakeholders, to conclude more flexible contracts with petrochemical and petroleum products companies and ultimately better mitigate business risks.
Oil and Gas Economics and Management
Azadeh Dabbaghi
Abstract
Rapid changes and competitions in today's world have shifted the role of governmental enterprises into regulating and directing activities. This has led to the need for the analysis of internal/ external situations and the revision of strategic planning of such companies. The Iranian Oil Terminals Company, ...
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Rapid changes and competitions in today's world have shifted the role of governmental enterprises into regulating and directing activities. This has led to the need for the analysis of internal/ external situations and the revision of strategic planning of such companies. The Iranian Oil Terminals Company, as one of the National Iranian Oil Company subsidiaries, has developed its vision, mission, and strategic plan. In this paper, the strategic planning was fulfilled for the Procurement and Supply system of IOTC, which has the role of supporting the primary activities of the company by sourcing, purchasing, warehousing, and delivering the requested materials. In this regard, different models of strategic planning were reviewed to design a suitable approach for strategy formulation. The adopted framework was implemented using the balanced scorecard approach and the results were presented step by step in the paper. . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil and Gas Economics and Management
Ahmad Mousaei
Abstract
Technology Transfer is a process which technology supplier can transfer technology to receiver through it by numerous activities. Now in Iran, lots of companies are facing difficulties in correct implementation of technology transfer. Varying complexity and specific nature of each of the technologies ...
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Technology Transfer is a process which technology supplier can transfer technology to receiver through it by numerous activities. Now in Iran, lots of companies are facing difficulties in correct implementation of technology transfer. Varying complexity and specific nature of each of the technologies has been caused many problems to technology transfer process design. In the other hand, the lack of integration between the components of the technology transfer process and the lack of consistency in the way of transferring with the company's strategies has been caused additional difficulties. In this paper, we have attempted to design the model of technology transfer process in the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical industry which includes three stages of " decision making, technology transfer and acquisition the knowledge".The model is derived from the literature survey and is developed based on the experiences with adding necessary elements in order to resolve the problems. In order to validate the model, it is used for DMD technology transfer in RIPI.
Accounting
Elham Hasaniazardaryani; Shahnaz Mashayekh; Rezvan Hejazi
Abstract
The purpose of the current work, conducted in 2017 and 2018, is to identify andprioritize the qualitative and quantitative factors affecting human resources(HR) valuation at National Iranian Oil Company and its subsidiaries. Using asnowball sampling method, 28 experts were selected from the head of humanresources, ...
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The purpose of the current work, conducted in 2017 and 2018, is to identify andprioritize the qualitative and quantitative factors affecting human resources(HR) valuation at National Iranian Oil Company and its subsidiaries. Using asnowball sampling method, 28 experts were selected from the head of humanresources, the head of finance, and some staff members of National IranianOil Company and its subsidiaries. In order to identify the dimensions andcomponents affecting human resources valuation, a comprehensive literaturereview at international and national levels, interviews with experts, andthree stages of distribution and collection of questionnaires using the FuzzyDelphi method were performed. Then, two phases of the paired comparisonquestionnaire were developed and provided for the experts to explain andevaluate the cause-and-effect relationships between the dimensions andthe components together. The specified components and dimensions wereprioritized using the Fuzzy DEMATEL method. Using the Fuzzy Delphimethod, 15 dimensions and 101 components influencing HR valuation wereidentified at National Iranian Oil Company and its affiliated companies.According to Pareto 20-80, 20 components were identified as the factorsinfluencing human resources valuation at National Iranian Oil Company andits subsidiaries, and using the Fuzzy DEMATEL method, 15 dimensionsand 20 specified components were prioritized. According to the resultsobtained, the most important dimension and component affecting humanresources valuation at National Iranian Oil Company and its subsidiaries arejob satisfaction, motivation, and perseverance in employees’ assignments.
Law Studies
Niloofar Heydari Roochi; Nasrollah Ebrahimi
Abstract
Unlike many arbitrations, the arbitration procedure for price reviews in gas industry contracts is not based on allegations that one party has breached a contract or otherwise committed a legal wrong. Instead, arbitrators are asked to determine whether the economics of a contract has been changed in ...
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Unlike many arbitrations, the arbitration procedure for price reviews in gas industry contracts is not based on allegations that one party has breached a contract or otherwise committed a legal wrong. Instead, arbitrators are asked to determine whether the economics of a contract has been changed in the market and thus should be adjusted; if so, a new price formula should be established. Due to the complexity of the revision of gas prices, the gas experts have significant role in these arbitrations. Regarding the role of gas experts, gas price arbitrations have specific nature. In this article, the nature of these arbitrations is examined to establish whether they are arbitration or expert determination as one of alternative dispute resolutions (ADR). Iran has the second proven natural gas resources worldwide and is the third natural gas producer in the world, so Iran–Turkey case will come under scrutiny in this article.
Law Studies
Morteza Shokri; Ali Esmaeili Ardakani
Abstract
Economic sanctions imposed on heterogeneous states have played an important role as a tool of pressure in recent decades. Considering that most states nonconforming with the US are important players on the energy market, large part of this country’s sanctions policies has focused on the energy ...
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Economic sanctions imposed on heterogeneous states have played an important role as a tool of pressure in recent decades. Considering that most states nonconforming with the US are important players on the energy market, large part of this country’s sanctions policies has focused on the energy sector. With the evolution of the US shale oil industry, using energy as a tool of sanctions against target countries has received increasing attention by the US presidents in recent years. The US is using the geopolitical shift as an international strategy to compete with other powers in the energy sector such as Iran, Venezuela, and Russia. The US aims to use its energy embargo policy to curtail the influence of these players on the energy market and prevent their anti-American policies by fermenting economic crises within these countries. The question arises as to the extent of the effectiveness and sustainability of this US foreign policy strategy in a transitional international order. The article hypothesis is that due to inefficient unconventional resources in terms of market crisis, the rise of counter-hegemonic coalitions, and geopolitical tensions in regions such as the Middle East, one cannot be too optimistic about the sustainability of this situation. The authors of the article will endeavor to explain the above hypothesis within the framework of the hegemony theory and by using the trend-analysis technique while addressing the driving forces.
Mohammad Javad Zare Bahnamiri; Peiman ghanbarzadeh samakosh
Abstract
It seems that paying attention to social responsibility by companies can lead to a better stakeholder’s view toward the company, thereby increasing their loyalty and trust. Having the ability to obtain more financial resources in times of crisis, due to the greater loyalty of investors, will result ...
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It seems that paying attention to social responsibility by companies can lead to a better stakeholder’s view toward the company, thereby increasing their loyalty and trust. Having the ability to obtain more financial resources in times of crisis, due to the greater loyalty of investors, will result in reducing the company risk. In contrast, being overconfident about the loyalty of individuals to the company can lead to keeping a short-term debt structure, thereby increasing the risk of obtaining financial resources. Recently, the negative impacts of petrochemical companies on the environment have made social and environmental groups focus more on this industry, and this focus has pushed companies into involving in more social activities. Considering the potential impact of CSR on the company’s risk, this study examines the relationship between corporate social responsibility and value at risk in petrochemical industry using a sample of 27 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange during the 2010-2017 period. Eviews 10 is used for computing and analyzing the data, and the generalized auto regressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model is employed to estimate value at risk. The results indicate a negative and statistically significant relationship between corporate social responsibilities and company value at risk.
Law Studies
Naqmeh Javadpour; Hamid reza Oloumi Yazdi; Seyyed Nasrollah Ebrahimi
Abstract
International oil and gas investment disputes constitute an important part of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) system. Investment arbitration which is regarded as a prevalent dispute settlement mechanism in this area has come under severe criticism since it creates huge costs, lengthens the process, ...
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International oil and gas investment disputes constitute an important part of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) system. Investment arbitration which is regarded as a prevalent dispute settlement mechanism in this area has come under severe criticism since it creates huge costs, lengthens the process, and devastates the parties’ long-term investment relationship. In recent years, the possibility of applying alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and hybrid dispute settlement mechanisms has largely been discussed. Mediation-arbitration (Med-Arb) is one of the hybrid integrated dispute settlement mechanisms which embodies flexibility, nonjudicial, and negotiate-oriented benefits of mediation and the finality advantage of arbitration simultaneously in a single process. In this method, mediation is first attempted by the parties before arbitration could be started; if settlement is not reached during the mediation phase, the appointed neutral or mediator will then act as (an) independent arbitrator(s), will continue the case under the arbitration process, and will render a binding arbitration award. In this method, if parties reach an agreement during the first phase (mediation process), they will not incur huge costs of lengthy investment arbitration. In this method, even if the first stage (mediation process) fails, since it has further clarified and narrowed down the disputes, then the arbitration process will be less lengthy and proceed more efficiently. Moreover, both investors and host states in oil and gas investment area do have strong ambitions to maintain the investment relationships. These goals are achieved better via adopting Med-Arb proceedings. The most noted concerns in this method relates to the issue of the impartiality of the neutral (mediator in the first stage) who acts as an arbitrator at the next stage. In other words, it may be argued that the confidential information learned by the neutral from the parties in the mediation stage may seriously impact on his/her impartiality in the arbitration stage. This issue can be responded in light of respecting party autonomy principle which selects the Med-Arb clearly and correctly for dispute settlement. This approach is affirmed and proposed by the UNCITRAL model law on international commercial conciliation (2002) as well. Also, concerns regarding the enforcement of international agreements resulting from mediation have already been addressed in the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (Singapore Convention on Mediation), which has attained international acceptance by 51 state members so far.
Alireza Khosravi; Mohammad Jafari
Abstract
The present paper is meant to answer the question: How fluctuation in economic growth rate increased the risk of instability in Iran in the Post-JCPOA? In response and based on reliable data and taking a political economy approach, it is hypothesized that the high fluctuations in the economic growth ...
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The present paper is meant to answer the question: How fluctuation in economic growth rate increased the risk of instability in Iran in the Post-JCPOA? In response and based on reliable data and taking a political economy approach, it is hypothesized that the high fluctuations in the economic growth rate associated with JCPOA has led to the political instability through deepening and intensification of expectations gap. To do so and using a comparative method, a number of factors associated with calculating modes of added value (sub-sectors including agriculture, oil, industry and mining, and ) as well as international indicators affecting the economic growth are analyzed in the two time spans of pre and post JCPOA. For further validity, reference is made to the results of some polls conducted by some credible institutes. The findings show that the sudden rise and fall of the economic growth rate due to oil revenues after the agreement turned the hope created in the context of the expected gap formed by the promises of the agreement into disappointment; and paved the way for street unrests
Oil and Gas Economics and Management
Mohammad Hassan Fotros; Esmael Torkamani
Abstract
Energy Justice and Sustainable Development Goals: The Case of Common Gas Field Projects of Iran and Qatar Abstract The issue of exploiting shared resources appears a major controversy i.e. each country try to get more out of common field. Energy justice, as a new concept, seeks to apply the principles ...
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Energy Justice and Sustainable Development Goals: The Case of Common Gas Field Projects of Iran and Qatar Abstract The issue of exploiting shared resources appears a major controversy i.e. each country try to get more out of common field. Energy justice, as a new concept, seeks to apply the principles of justice in the production and exploitation, distribution and use of energy. This study tries to assess the extent to which Iran-Qatar common field is being exploited within the framework of the three tenets of energy justice. This study intends to identify energy justice in terms of having sustainable development indicators in common gas field of Iran and Qatar. We use the concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially from Goals that are related to the concept of energy justice to assess the realization of energy justice. The assessment of the tenets of distributional, procedural and recognition justice shows that energy justice is not pursued in joint exploitation of Iran and Qatar
