Petroleum Business Review

Abstract The present study examines the investment model of the National Development Fund (NDF) in the upstream oil and gas industries, focusing on the risks associated with field development. Given the NDF's recent entry into the investment arena, the challenges in this field have been analyzed in this article. Furthermore, the NDF 's investment policies and guidelines, project prioritization, and the Non-Meddle Investment model (I-HOPE) as the NDF’s main strategy to reduce risk and increase resource effectiveness are introduced and analyzed in detail. Finally, alongside a comparative review of the NDF’s investment model and field development challenges, solutions are proposed to improve the NDF’s investment process in this sector. This study, by evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the I-HOPE model in confronting the inherent risks of field development, provides a framework for optimizing future investments. These measures help the NDF to optimally manage risks, increase resource returns, and play a more effective role in the country's economic development.
Keywords: Non-Meddle Investment Model, Risk, Uncertainty

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 The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of comparability and environmental uncertainty on the expected rate of return. The current study utilizes panel regression method estimator to investigate the relationship between comparability, environmental uncertainty, and the expected rate of return of 500 firm-year observations in oil, gas, and petrochemical firms listed in Iran Securities and Stock Exchanges for the period of 2009 to 2018. The results show that the comparability and uncertainty have a significant effect on the expected rate of return. In other words, the expected rate of return is a function of comparability, and it varies at different levels of comparability.