Mohammad-Ebrahim Shafiei, director for technology affairs, said most of the projects have already been implemented.

He stressed the need for proper interaction between petroleum industry and universities, research centers and the private sector.

Shafiei said the petroleum industry is required to focus on knowledge-based activities and seriously follow up on plans for indigenization of technology.

The official said Iran’s fifth five-year economic development plan, which ends in 2015, envisages 69 projects, worth seven trillion rials plus 28 million euros.

He said Petroleum Ministry prioritizes enhanced recovery projects.

Shafiei said National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC), one of the main four subsidiaries of Petroleum Ministry, has established a research center for polymer membranes, developed software for FH-PRO and technical knowledge for constructing mini-refineries.

He said the other subsidiaries of Petroleum Ministry – National Iranian Oil Company, National Iranian Gas Company and National Petrochemical Company – have also made achievements.