Petroleum Business Review

Abstract In recent years, the completion of the value chain and increased exportation of petrochemical products have been utilized to offset oil and gas export losses. As a result, this may have created various challenges and complexities within the oil and gas industry. The study aims to identify key challenges confronting Iran's petrochemical industry, with a particular focus on regulatory issues. It seeks to distinguish and prioritize the most critical regulatory factors necessary for establishing an effective regulatory framework in the petrochemical sector. For this study, data was collected through several interviews and questionnaire with Iran's petrochemical experts. With the collected data, the Delphi method was utilized to help identify the most critical challenges. The impact and significance of each challenge were determined through statistical analysis. The research findings indicate that the most important challenges are the weakness of laws to attract foreign and domestic investors, the lack of trust and lack of integration in this industry from upstream to downstream sector, respectively. Also, based on the research results, it show that it is essential for Iran's petrochemical industry to have two regulatory agencies. The "Competition Council" and the "Securities and Exchange High Council" as regulators of the physical and financial markets are considered, however, for them to regulate effectively the overall structure of these councils must first be dramatically reformed. The important effective regulating factors which should be emphasized by the regulator in Iran's petrochemical industry were indicated and ranked as allocation, responsiveness, financial independence, legal independence and political independence.

Abstract Dynamic capabilities refer to an organization's capacity to purposefully create, expand, or change its resource base. In all countries of the world, the gas industry of each country plays an important role in its economy and growth. And we are in an era where rapid global changes and technological innovations occur, and gas refineries are not unaffected by these changes. The objective of this research is to identify dynamic capabilities within knowledge-based companies in the gas refining industry. This study employs a mixed-methods approach to develop a model of dynamic capabilities specific to knowledge-based gas refining enterprises. By analyzing 54 articles through a meta-synthesis method and conducting semi-structured interviews with 12 experts in this field, the components of dynamic capabilities were identified through thematic analysis. Following this, the factors were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, and a questionnaire was distributed to specialists, with all components being validated in the initial phase. To develop the final model, the research utilized structural interpretive modeling (ISM), and the corresponding questionnaire was completed by 15 managers of knowledge-based companies in Tehran

Abstract The economic evaluation of oil and gas projects aims to provide decision-makers with a comprehensive estimate of costs and benefits. This study examines the impact of macroeconomic variables, such as interest and inflation rates, on the economic assessment of drilling several gas wells in northeastern Iran. The theoretical framework includes Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Payback Period (PP). The importance of accurately predicting these variables for economic decision-making by managers and policymakers is clearly established, with their analysis playing a key role in project evaluation. In this study, the planning of activities and analysis of the construction and operational phases of the project were first conducted. The inflation rate was forecasted using the ARIMA model, and an appropriate discount rate was determined. The pricing of gas and condensates, fixed and variable costs, and project revenues were also reviewed. The economic evaluation was performed using COMFAR software, with a sensitivity analysis to examine the impact of changes in key assumptions. The results indicate positive financial metrics for the project under different production rates, discount rates, inflation rates, and various energy prices, confirming the project's economic viability.

Abstract This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the energy supply chain in the petrochemi-cal industry with the approach of Malmquist cost efficiency index and fuzzy VIKOR, taking into account the importance coefficient of input variables. After reviewing the literature, first the inputs and outputs of the energy supply chain were identified. Then, the influential variables in the petrochemical industry in the energy supply chain were identified and prioritized with the fuzzy VIKOR approach. Then the weight of the input variables was calculated with the geomet-ric mean and the input variables were entered into the mathematical model based on their weight. Based on input type, a mathematical model was written to estimate input costs to ensure output and supply chain efficiency in two consecutive years. Then the Malmquist cost index was estimated based on the model outputs. The petrochemical company with the highest Malmquist total cost index and the lowest output cost was selected as the optimal solution of the model. The value of the objective function indicates the input costs. Our inputs include two variables, the number of employees, the value of materials used in fuel reproduction. Petro-chemicals 9, 7, 12, 10, 6, 5, 3, 4, 13, 11, 2, 8, 1 and 14 respectively have the lowest input costs, but it is necessarily due to efficiency that petrochemicals and the efficiency of petrochemicals is checked. The cost return is calculated from the relevant formula in the years 2021 and 2022.

Abstract The present study aimed to identify and prioritize the factors affecting the marketing of knowledge-based products of basic chemicals. This research is applied in terms of objectives and a data-based cross-sectional survey concerning its method. Initially, the factors affecting the marketing of products in this sector were identified based on library and field studies and by purposive sampling of 15 senior managers of knowledge-based chemical companies (research experts) utilizing a semi-structured interview and in the form of a questionnaire. Cochran’s formula was then employed, and 400 experts and staff working in this department were selected as the study’s statistical population through simple random sampling. Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis was used to analyze the data and check the final model’s fitting. In the end, each factor’s relative importance was determined by the fuzzy DNAP method. The results led to the identification of 16 sub-criteria under seven main criteria, including technical and managerial, information and knowledge, economic, infrastructural, legal, and support issues, besides supply capabilities. The results revealed that the information and knowledge criterion and the innovation sub-criterion had the highest score, while the supply capability criterion and the knowledge management sub-criterion were ranked last.

Abstract Several studies in the field of capital markets indicate that changes in macroeconomic parameters, including crude oil price changes in many cases, have significant effects on capital market indexes. The present study seeks to investigate the effect of crude oil price changes on the indexes of Tehran Stock Exchange and Saudi Stock Exchange also known as The Tadawul Exchange using the two-factor capital asset pricing model with samples gathered from years 2016-2022 from both markets. The results of the study show that, both markets are relatively sensitive to the oil price index and despite severe economic sanctions imposed on Iran, Its capital market, having more significantly oil-related indexes, is still more oil-dependent than that of Saudi Arabia. The results also suggest the asymmetric relation with oil price movements in both countries due to their oil-exporting nature where both markets are more sensitive to negative oil price movements rather than its positive ones. Also, it is concluded that due to the diversity of industries in Tehran Stock Exchange, the economic sanctions imposed on Iran have a more directed impact on its capital market rather than affecting it through a mediator parameter such as oil price movements.

Abstract The Iranian economy is intensely affected by the size of the government and oil income. Oil incomes might influence the relationship between inflation and government size since financing the budget in Iran is based to a significant degree on oil revenues. Due to the significance of government size and oil income on the price level, the oil revenue-government size-inflation nexus in Iran during the period 1991-2021 is considered. Estimation results of a Markov switching model recommend that government size incorporates a significant positive affect on inflation. Moreover, the growth of oil income is found to have a significant negative affect on the inflation. Based on the findings, it appears that there are two regimes being considered: Regime 1, which represents a high inflation regime, and Regime 2, which represents a low inflation regime. Our findings suggest that once in the low inflation regime (Regime 2), there is a moderate chance of remaining in that state. However, if initially in the high inflation regime (Regime 1), there is a higher probability of staying in that state and a lower probability of transitioning to the low inflation regime.

Abstract This research aims to identify the effective factors on sustainable supply chain in the National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC). The method of data collection was mixed methods. In the qualitative section, data were collected through reviewing 32 previous studies as well as in-depth interviews with 10 faculty members and experts in the field of sustainable supply chain of crude oil and oil products of the NISOC using a Non-Probability Judgmental Sampling. The main dimensions were identified from interviews, and the dimensions were grouped in 13 main categories and 78 sub-categories. 13 main components included organizational factors, production products, sustainable supply chain, industry supply chain, macro policies, technology, customer, economic factors, deficits of supply chain, social factors, political factors, organizational performance, and organizational productivity. Second, through reviewing literature and previous studies, 72 open codes in 9 categories were identified, including strategies, blockchain technology, improving the economic environment, improving the social and environmental policies and laws, internal organizational solutions, external organizational solutions, environmental management, market and capital factors. In the quantitative part, the researcher-made questionnaire was applied in a preliminary study on 10 experts in the field of management, and its relative content validity is examined. Then the final and modified version was provided to 384 employees of the NISOC. SmartPLS software were used for quantitative evaluation of the model. The presented model helps industry managers and decision makers to significantly improve the performance of the supply chain by re-designing the supply chain and taking appropriate measures.

Abstract This research was conducted with the aim of studying the effects of oil and gas industry development on the state of social damage in the native community of Assalouye. This research was conducted using quantitative and qualitative methods, in the qualitative part, the in-depth interview method was used, and in the quantitative part, survey and correlation research methods were used. The population of the current study was the native residents of Asalouyeh, 17 of them participated in the qualitative part using the purposeful sampling method, and 380 people participated in the quantitative part using the random proportional classification sampling method. In order to collect data from the qualitative part, in-depth interviews were conducted with the participants, and the data from the quantitative part was collected using a semi-standard and researcher-made questionnaire. The results showed that under the influence of the oil and gas industry entering the region, social harm has increased significantly. Most of the respondents stated that due to their dissatisfaction with their current living situation, they would move to change their place of residence if possible. The results of the quantitative analysis showed that before the entry of the oil industry, the quality of life can explain the variance of the criterion variable, i.e., the state of social harms, in a significant way to the extent of -20%.

Abstract Southeast Asian countries have always been the focus of oil producers due to the increase in population and the trend of economic growth. In the last two decades, Indonesia has been prioritized as one of the new markets for Iran due to its high population and forecast to become the fifth largest economy in the world and the upward trend of energy demand. The purpose of this research is to investigate the capacities of Indonesia using the documentary library research method. Indonesia is a developing country and has an increasing economic and population growth trend, which is facing an increasing demand for energy. For this reason, this market is always the focus of major oil producers.

The results of this research show that the refinery capacity of Indonesia's need for petroleum products in the form of joint venture or take-off method to create a sales chain in this country can increase its dependence on Iran. And as a result, more market share can be obtained and also the joint investment cooperation in the upstream development sector with Indonesian oil companies in the direction of developing its fields is also significant. The first question in this research is “what are the capacities of joint cooperation with Indonesia in the field of oil industry”, and the second question is “what are the capacities of joint cooperation between Iran and Indonesia in the field of oil industry?”

Abstract The oil price fluctuations are a debatable issue among scholars. Understanding the appropriate utilization of underground resources is paramount, considering their abundance and historical significance as a crucial source of financial income for Iran. However, oil shocks pose challenges to petroleum exporting nations due to fluctuating oil prices and their reliance on the global economy. This study employs Econometrics models and auto-regression analysis to investigate whether oil shocks significantly affect sustainable development in OPEC countries during 2000-2019. Findings reveal a 'resource curse' affecting the analyzed nations, with rising oil prices having no substantial impact on their gross domestic product. Furthermore, increased oil revenues drive inflation, impeding urbanization and exacerbating inequality (Gini coefficient), indicative of the 'Dutch disease phenomenon. In conclusion, policymakers should prioritize the economy's size and reduce investment risks by formulating attainable long-term plans concentrated on sustainable development indicators, aiming for more stable progress. Oil shocks notably influence the sustainable development of petroleum-exporting countries.

Abstract Market uncertainty is when investors have difficulty in assessing current and future market conditions because there is a lot of volatility in the market. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of environmental uncertainty and currency uncertainty on volatility of stock returns of Petrochemical and Petroleum Products Supplier companies which are listed in Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE); these companies are active in all areas of the supply chain from extraction to retailing. In order to achieve the objectives of the research, research hypotheses were tested based on a statistical sample consisting of 13 companies during a 10-year period from 2012 to 2021 through the GMM estimation method with EViews. The findings of the research show that environmental and currency uncertainties intensify the volatility of companies' stock returns. These uncertainties in the previous period have the opposite effect on the volatility of stock returns in the current period. Also, the relationship of trading volume and stock price variables with stock return volatility is negative, because when market uncertainty is high, traders are expected to move more towards stocks of safer companies. The greater the volatility of returns in the previous period, it is expected that this will intensify the volatility of stock returns in this period as well. Examining volatility of stock returns can be useful in analyzing market participants' motivations.

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 Performance management is a systematic approach that helps to improve the organization's performance through the processes of setting strategic goals, measuring, collecting, and analyzing data, reviewing performance data reports, and applying its results. An evaluation and monitoring system in the form of performance management At the macro level, which monitors the upstream documents, development plans, etc. in the form of one-year or even fewer time schedules, and provides the necessary feedback to pave the way to achieve the vision at different structural and management levels, one of the necessities which is currently the main question of the research entitled "Which is the appropriate model for managing the performance of managers?". To achieve this goal, the factors were identified using a qualitative and quantitative combined approach. In the qualitative phase of the Systematic literature method (SLR) and Delphi technique. The articles and documents selected in the systematic literature method (SLR) were evaluated in terms of quality through the CASP method. Based on the findings, 6 factors were identified as effective factors on performance. Managers were identified as external organizational factors - internal organizational factors - individual factors - input elements - performance management processes - results. Each of these factors has been used separately or in combination in various articles and research.

Abstract The supply of natural gas in energy exchanges has emerged as a significant aspect of the global energy landscape since the 1990s, requiring the establishment of appropriate trading platforms. In Iran,  it was envisioned the sale of up to ten billion cubic meters of natural gas following the approval of the budget law of 1400 (2021). However, despite these projections, no offerings were made on the Iran Energy Exchange (IRENEX) due to various challenges. This research aims to identify the essential prerequisites for gas supply in energy exchanges using a systematic review approach and subsequently analyze these prerequisites within the context of Iran's gas market. The findings of this study reveal that while the technical prerequisites for such transactions are presently available, significant strides are needed in terms of legal and structural aspects. Notably, challenges arise from the presence of long-term contracts between the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) and neighboring countries, the monopolization of the country's natural gas industry's value chain by state-owned enterprises, incomplete unbundling of the mentioned chain, limited third-party access to pipelines and storage facilities, gas supply with subsidized tariffs, and the absence of a comprehensive law governing the integration of Iran's natural gas market. Overcoming these obstacles is imperative for enabling natural gas supply in the IRENEX and successfully implementing the gas supply program. Policy makers must carefully address these prerequisites to foster a conducive environment for gas trading within the energy exchange and pave the way for its effective implementation.

Abstract In this descriptive qualitative research with case study research strategy, the Iranian oil industry innovation system in the form of adopting a structural and functional approach (systemic approach) in depth and in its natural context from the perspective of the participants studied. Based on theoretical framework that includes five systemic components of innovation system, actors and relationships between them have been identified. In order to ensure validity of the structure, multiple information sources (interviews, observations and document analysis) is used. Also to achieve external validity, previous theories have been used as the initial theoretical framework of the research. The absorption and development of strategic knowledge and technologies of the oil industry was introduced as the main function of the system and three sub-functions identified for it. Identifying 29 existing structural and functional challenges from the perspective of experts has complemented the understanding of this system. Finally, policy proposals are presented.

Abstract Income distribution and environmental destruction represent two of the most important goals in the Sustainable Development Goals. However, the linkage between income inequality and carbon emissions remains controversial especially in countries with natural oil and gas resources. This paper studies the link between carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and income inequality in Iran over 1985–2020. The modelling results indicate that there is a trade-off between income inequality and CO2 emissions. By applying the Vector Auto regression approach found a direct relationship between Gini coefficient and CO2 emissions and indirect relationship between petrol price and CO2 emissions. Petrol price have a smaller although negative impact on CO2 emissions compared to the positive effect of inequality. To investigate the effect of shocks, Impulse response checked out. According to the variance decomposition, income inequality after carbon dioxide emissions is the most explanatory change in gas emissions among other variables. This paper presents a positive effect of petrol price shocks on carbon dioxide emissions, and also negative effect on carbon dioxide emissions in long term.

Abstract One of the innovations that has been formed in the insurance industry in recent years is transfer the risk to the capital markets. Today, this possibility is provided by issuing insurance bonds and Catastrophe bonds, which are a most important type of insurance-linked securities (ILS), can redress inefficiency in the insurance industry.
Today, more and more Catastrophe (CAT) bonds are being issued worldwide, which is welcomed by investors and insurance companies. On the other hand, traditional insurance solutions to cover the risks of Iran's oil and gas industry is not efficient and sufficient and using CAT bonds to transfer risks of this industry to capital markets is a necessary and inevitable issue.
The aim of this research is to identify effective factors for issuing Catastrophe bonds in Iran's oil and gas industry. On this basis and after reviewing the literature through library studies, 33 factors were identified in the form of seven categories, based on the similarities. Then, based on Delphi method, experts were asked to express their opinions through an iterative questionnaire. After take the experts' opinions in every round, the statistics analysis was performed and the Delphi process was stopped in the third round. Based on the results, the number of 32 factors in six categories with the titles Legislation and Amendment of the Rules, Knowledge Management, Process Management, Transparency, Creation and Strengthening of Software Platforms and Cultivation were approved by experts and identified as effective factors for issuance of Cat bonds in Iran's oil and gas industry.

Abstract Technological learning and the drive to self-sufficiency in different industries emphasize the role of companies in the knowledge acquisition from external sources. Iran's petroleum industry is also a suitable case to study in this area, given the large firms on the one hand and the long-term historical partnerships with foreign companies on the other. Some of the industry's achievements, such as sustainability under sanctions, the country's largest source of export and some recent breakthroughs, particularly in the registration of international patents and localization of various technologies, show the success of learning efforts. This study, which examines the learning processes to joint R&D (JRD) projects in the petroleum industry, analyzes the path of technological learning in this industry using a mixed method approach and multi case study method. For this purpose, four successful JRD projects in technological learning in upstream and downstream are selected and 16 interviews are conducted with project managers and experts of selected projects and using the JRD's life cycle to present a technological learning model in JRDs. The results of theme analysis of interviews show that the most important and effective component of the model is "effective factors". The most affected component is "types of learning". Also, the most effective factors and the most effective learning mechanism are "absorption capability", "cultural homogeneity" and "learning by interacting" Respectively.

Abstract Unlike other organizations, employees of the oil company retire at the age of 60, and their retirement is not based on 30 years of service. Therefore, they require more attention during their retirement. Accordingly, the aim of this research is to design and explain a socially responsible marketing model with an emphasis on the retired community in Gachsaran Oil and Gas Exploitation Company. The research method was mixed-exploratory, based on foundational data theory in the qualitative phase, using purposive sampling, and in the quantitative phase, using descriptive and inferential statistics and structural equations analysis. The results show that Gachsaran Oil and Gas Exploitation Company has a process that cannot be performed separately from society. Therefore, having socially responsible marketing in the company can help retirees with public services and provide a way to strengthen the motivation of employees and support the interests of the community during retirement. Thus, these organizations need managers who can determine the future path of the organization with depth, guide individuals to the determined path, and create motivation for transformation based on social marketing in employees of organizations

Abstract In this study, consumption datas of hydrocarbon energy carriers in Iran during the years 1982-2017 were collected. A seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model in balanced panel data approach was proposed It can be beneficial to control energy demand. Results revealed that in the residential-commercial sector indicate that the consumption of hydrocarbon energy carriers with lag has a positive effect and the weighted average price of petroleum energy carriers includes a negative impact on the consumption of hydrocarbon energy carriers. In the industry sector, consumption of hydrocarbon energy carriers with lag includes a positive impact on the usage of hydrocarbon energy carriers, and the weighted average price of petroleum energy carriers has a negative effect on the consumption of hydrocarbon energy carriers. In the agriculture sector, the variables of energy intensity, value added of the agriculture sector, population and consumption of hydrocarbon energy carriers with lag have a positive impact on the usage of hydrocarbon energy carriers in this sector. In the transportation sector, gross domestic product, extremity of energy usage in the transportation part and consumption of hydrocarbon energy carriers with lag include a positive impact on the usage of hydrocarbon energy carriers in this sector and has a negative impact on the consumption of hydrocarbon

Abstract The purpose of job rotation policies is to create a talent pool for the organization along with mutual training of employees. Ensuring that a planned job transfer is beneficial to both the employee and the organization requires consideration of the organization and the company's value chain. The current research has been conducted with the aim of designing a job rotation implementation model based on the organization, methods, and value chain of Iran's National Gas Company. The qualitative research method is based on foundational data theorizing. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect information, and data analysis was done using the Strauss and Corbin method and the paradigm model. Sampling was done theoretically and with the benefit of targeted (judgmental) and snowball (chain) techniques, based on which 18 interviews were conducted with knowledgeable professors and experts in the field of human resource management and public administration. The results of the data analysis obtained from the interviews during the process of open, axial, and selective coding led to the creation of a job rotation implementation model based on the foundation's data theory including 6 main dimensions, 64 sub-dimensions, and 186 characteristics.

Abstract Delay is an event that increases the completion time of a part of the project, which is one of the main problems in the executive projects of the country and causes an increase in project costs as well as damages. Project delays pose significant risks to the project that are dangerous for the project to continue. These risks are of particular importance in oil and gas projects. The purpose of this study is to identify and rank the risks related with delays in oil and gas projects. The present study is applied in terms of orientation and quantitative in terms of methodology. The statistical population of the study is managers and experts of risk and delay in oil and gas projects in the country. Among these people,15 people were selected as the sample by judgmental sampling method. For data collection, two questionnaires of expertise and prioritization were used, both of which had validity and reliability. In the first step, the risks associated with project delays were extracted by reviewing project risk and delay articles. In the next step, these risks were screened using the Binominal test.11 risks had a significance coefficient higher than 5% and were excluded from the calculations. The remaining 8 risks were prioritized using the Codas distance technique. According to the data of the relative evaluation matrix and the scores of each risk, the risks of sanctions, inflation, and lawsuits and complaints had the highest priority, respectively. Finally, research proposals were developed based on significant risks.

Abstract Project portfolio management is a comprehensive framework for decision making and selecting the portfolio of projects to achieve the goals of the organization by considering resource constraints. The importance of this issue in Iran's oil and gas industry is even more remarkable than ever due to its unique position in the country's economy, capital-intensive and capital budget constraints that have been intensified in recent years. Identifying and defining different scenarios for each oil and gas field, determining the parameters of the mathematical model, the required data to calculate the parameters of the model and the process and methods of identifying this data, indicate the distinction and necessity of this research. This study is an applied research in terms of objective, using mathematical modeling approach, has provided a pattern to determine the optimal portfolio of capital plans of oil and gas companies. The research method is case study which has studied one of the most important oil and gas producing companies in the country and the only offshore company. In this study, a framework for selecting the optimal portfolio of capital projects is determined and after gathering required data, the zero-one integer linear mathematical programming model with the objective function of maximizing the net present value from fields (as the strategic goal of company) by considering investment constraints was designed and solved by GAMS software. Finally, according to the defined constraint, the best investment mode for each field was identified and the optimal portfolio was defined.

Abstract Considering the limited resources available, firms must rank their most distinctive capabilities in order to succeed in entering international markets. This research aimed at prioritizing transnational capabilities including marketing, managerial, human resources, production, financial, logistics, research and development, quality and standards and consultation and interaction with the government affecting on the entry of the Iranian steel pipe manufacturers producing gas and oil transit steel pipes into international markets. The study population consisted of experts and procurement, business and marketing managers of the 8 biggest oil and gas steel pipe manufacturers working in Iran. Two pair-wise comparison questionnaires employed to collect the required data. Fuzzy Decision Making Trial & Error Laboratory (FDEMATEL) and Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) techniques used to analyze the data. The results revealed that the marketing (Net Weight=0.225) and human resources (Net Weight =0.035) capabilities attained the highest and lowest priorities, respectively. The paper is sharing the value creation by presenting a potential process including systematic techniques for ranking transnational capabilities to enter the international markets considering the competitive environment.