Petroleum Business Review

Abstract Bifurcation constitutes a procedural mechanism in arbitration whereby complex disputes are segmented into separate and distinct issues to be addressed individually over the course of the proceedings. This stratification enables a more organized and methodical approach, commonly by isolating jurisdictional questions from the substantive merits of the case. Through the division of the dispute into discrete phases, bifurcation enhances procedural efficiency, allowing the parties to focus their efforts on pivotal matters while avoiding unnecessary expenditure of time and resources on ancillary issues. As a result, this mechanism often contributes to notable reductions in both the duration and overall cost of the arbitral process.

In determining whether to bifurcate proceedings, arbitral tribunals assess key criteria: the preliminary objection must demonstrate substantive merit, be capable of adjudication independently of the merits, and possess the potential to resolve the dispute conclusively.

The tribunal’s decision to implement this procedural tool ultimately depends on the specific facts and prevailing circumstances of the case.

Abstract Many organizations in the power and energy sector rely on research and development (R&D) projects to achieve their strategic goals. Given the simultaneous execution of multiple projects, managing R&D portfolios effectively has become an essential capability for adapting to environmental changes and maintaining competitive advantage. This study aims to present a model that identifies and prioritizes the factors influencing R&D portfolio management in the energy sector. Employing a mixed-method approach, the research integrates qualitative data collected through interviews with fifteen experts in the energy sector—analyzed using grounded theory via MAXQDA 2020—with quantitative data from 134 managers and experts, analyzed using Smart PLS V.3. In the qualitative phase, 105 codes were categorized into six dimensions, with 17 codes excluded during factor analysis, resulting in a validated model comprising 88 codes across six dimensions. The proposed model emphasizes critical factors such as project selection, project evaluation, project definition, budget allocation, portfolio analysis, and addressing challenges in portfolio integration. By balancing these dimensions, the model aims to reduce risks, optimize resource allocation, and enhance the probability of commercial success for R&D projects. This study offers new insights into R&D portfolio management in the Iranian energy industry, addressing the unique challenges of this sector. It provides a systematic framework for selecting, evaluating, and balancing R&D projects while aligning with organizational strategies to ensure the effective commercialization of research outcomes. The findings also stress the importance of integrating local investment in R&D to drive technological innovation and sustainable economic development in the energy sector.

Abstract Cell Formation Problem (CFP) is a famous issues in group technology, where an analyst aims at forming groups of machines/parts (so-called cells), in such a way that machines in every cell process as much as possible parts from this cell and as less as possible parts from other cells. In this article, a Harmony Search Algorithm (HSA) is designed to solve the CFP. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, 35 sample classical problems are examined. The experimental results indicate desirable performance of the proposed algorithm. In addition, applicability of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by a real-world case in project human resource management. Since the megaprojects in oil industry require a wide range of jobs, thus grouping of individuals with considering their skills is an important challenge. The paper defines the job grouping problem as a CFP, and solve a real-world problem using the proposed HSA.

Abstract Iran's Ministry of Petroleum due to empowerment of Iranian companies for executing local mega projects, regional and international markets penetration and upgrading national technology in petroleum upstream industry, predicted a competent Iranian partner called Exploration and Production (E&P) companies, for cooperating with the International Oil Company (IOC) in Article Four of the Cabinet Approval. Now considering the absence of IOCs, it seems that the capacity of other oil contract models to be used by Iranian oil companies should be examined. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of Concession agreements’ execution, by an E&P company in Iran’s upstream industry. The research method is descriptive and analytical and governing laws of Iran are reviewed in this study. Since the host government makes the final decision on the conduct of oil operations, it cannot be described as domination of oil resources, and therefore does not seriously contradict the Iran’s Constitution. Furthermore, E&P companies will not be subject to Article 81 of the Constitution. In the Oil Laws, the only restriction on the inflow of foreign capital in the upstream industry of Iran has been observed, which again does not apply to E&P companies. In the Laws of the Five-Year Plans, this restriction of oil laws has been adjusted too much in which it seems that the restriction has also been removed for IOCs. Finally, the investigation shows that there are no major legal barriers in applying Concession agreement in case that the operator is an Iranian E&P company.

Abstract Iran is one of the most important oil and gas producing countries in the world with 153.8 billion barrels of crude oil and 33.5 billion cubic meters of gas accounting for 9.3% and 18% share of the total oil and gas reservoirs respectively. Rich hydrocarbon reservoirs along with a special geographical location are of the most important competitive advantages of Iran. The oil value chain has a special place in the social, economic structure and the level of the development of Iran. In policy-making, especially in global equations and in the long run, where uncertainty is an integral part, it is necessary to pay attention to this area. As a strategic knowledge, future studies can play an important role in mapping the future. In the current study, the possible and plausible futures of Iran’s fossil energies (oil and gas) in the 2035 horizon are presented in the form of four scenarios. In an environment where variables are dynamic and constantly changing, and uncertainty is high, using scenario building methods is preferable for long-term horizons. In this work, 30 drivers with a high uncertainty and impact on the future of Iran’s oil and gas were produced. Using the cross-impact analysis model and the balanced impact model, out of 41,472 possible scenarios, 10 scenarios with the maximum compatibility were obtained and presented in four scenarios: a clean scenario (low carbon), a bipolar Middle East scenario, a cooperation and development scenario, and a postponed dream scenario.

Abstract Since a large number of the oil and gas projects are related to the supply chain, the selection of contractors and suppliers is very important. In projects, a contractor is obliged to supply the goods from suppliers and manufacturers approved by the clients, while most companies in Iran, including the company surveyed in this research, i.e. Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company (IOEC, do not have a scientific approach to this issue). The main objective of this research is providing a scientific and practical approach to ranking suppliers and contractors at IOEC and selecting the best ones. In order to achieve such an objective, an integrated model of Swing and TOPSIS methods with fuzzy approach has been designed and applied to a real case. The actual data used are obtained from the post-lay survey of the exports and infield pipelines of South Pars development phases 13, 14, and 22.
Keywords: Supplier Selection, multi attribute decision making (MADM), Oil and Gas, IOEC, Swing, Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Fuzzy, Pipelines