Research Institute of Petroleum Industry

What Research Institute of Petroleum Industry does

Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI, پژوهشگاه صنعت نفت) is the state-owned R&D institute under Iran's Ministry of Petroleum, headquartered in Tehran. Founded in 1959 (1338 SH) as the Development and Research Department of the National Iranian Oil Company and renamed to its current title in 1989 (1368 SH), RIPI operates three dedicated research campuses covering upstream oil and gas, downstream refining and petrochemicals, and energy and environment, plus pilot facilities including the Solvent Deasphalting (SDA) plant at Zavieh Industrial Town. Technical capabilities span 3D reservoir modeling and unconventional resource characterization (CCAL/SCAL/PVT), drilling fluids and fitness-for-service assessments, gas sweetening and demercaptanization (DMD-DMC) processes, refining catalysts, delayed coking, adsorbents and solvents, nanotechnology platforms (nanosilica EOR fluids piloted at Belal, ANG gas storage at Talesh), and environmental remediation, monitoring, and corrosion management products.

Its product portfolio includes proprietary refinery process licenses (License & PDP), refining catalysts developed with Gohar Ceramics, a domestically manufactured variable-speed process compressor (85%+ local content), gas analyzers for refinery furnace units, odorant monitoring devices for urban gas networks, and the SDA heavy-oil separation process. The institute pursues ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory certification.

RIPI's business model relies on three revenue streams: funded R&D contracts with Iranian national oil companies, refiners, petrochemical plants, and the Ministry of Petroleum (services requested via portal.ripi.ir); domestic technology licensing for refinery, gas processing, and petrochemical processes; and specialized industry training programs. Go-to-market is sales-led and institutionally anchored — contracts and MoUs are signed directly with NIOC subsidiaries, NIGC, NIORDC, NPC, IGEDC, refiners, and qualified knowledge-based companies, often co-signed during the triennial Petrotech conference and major industry exhibitions such as the Iran Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition. Customer concentration is by design: the institute serves only Iranian state-owned and quasi-state operators, and pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Research Institute of Petroleum Industry

Legal name

Research Institute of Petroleum Industry

Website

https://ripi.ir

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Iran's state-owned petroleum research institute under the Ministry of Petroleum, operating three R&D campuses in upstream, downstream, and energy/environment R&D. It delivers R&D contracts, technology licensing (catalysts, refining processes, nanosilica EOR, ANG gas storage), and laboratory and training services to NIOC, NIGC, NIORDC, NPC, IGEDC, and Iranian refineries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tehran

HQ country

Iran

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Research & Development Contract Services: RIPI generates revenue through funded R&D contracts with Iranian national oil companies, refiners, petrochemical plants, and the Ministry of Oil. Contracts cover upstream studies, refinery process design, catalyst testing, and environmental assessments. Services are requested via formal service desk (service IDs 13082762000 for laboratory services, 13082764000 for research services).
2. Technology Licensing: RIPI licenses domestically developed refining, gas processing, and petrochemical technologies to domestic industrial operators, including license and PDP services for refining processes.
3. Specialized Training Services: The Training Unit delivers specialized and strategic training programs for the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, targeting workforce development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

RIPI is Iran's state petroleum research institute, providing research and development services, technology licensing, and laboratory testing across upstream oil and gas, downstream refining and petrochemicals, and energy and environment. It develops and commercializes proprietary technologies including refining catalysts, nano-fluid enhanced oil recovery, gas processing technologies (sweetening, DMD-DMC), solvent deasphalting, ANG gas storage, environmental sensors, and process equipment, delivered to Iran's national oil, gas, refining, and petrochemical companies via direct contracts and technology licensing.

Product overview

Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI) operates as a multi-campus research institute organized into three core divisions: Upstream R&D (covering 3D reservoir modeling, unconventional resources, and drilling technologies), Downstream R&D (covering refining catalysts, gas sweetening, and delayed coking), and Energy & Environment R&D (covering bioremediation, pollution monitoring, and corrosion management). The institute offers technology licensing (License & PDP), laboratory services under ISO/IEC 17025, specialized training programs, and commercializes proprietary technologies including nano-fluid enhanced oil recovery, refining catalysts, odorant monitoring devices, ANG gas storage systems, and variable-speed compressors. RIPI serves as Iran's primary domestic technology developer for the petroleum industry value chain.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Upstream Research and Development Campus (پردیس پژوهش و توسعه صنایع بالادستی) Research services covering 3D reservoir modeling, unconventional hydrocarbon resources, reservoir characteristics (CCAL, SCAL, PVT), drilling mud and cement formulations, and fitness-for-service (FFS) assessments for MDP preparation, delivered to NIOC and Iranian upstream operators.
• Downstream Research and Development Campus (پردیس پژوهش و توسعه صنایع پائین دستی نفت) R&D and technology licensing in gas sweetening, demethylation-demercaptanization (DMD-DMC), refining technologies (License & PDP), refining catalysts, delayed coking, and adsorbents/solvents for gas refineries, serving NIORDC refineries and NIGC operators.
• Energy and Environment Campus (پردیس پژوهش و توسعه صنایع انرژی و محیط زیست) Environmental research and services including soil and groundwater bioremediation, water/noise/air pollutant monitoring, environmental pollution sensor design and manufacturing, corrosion management, and wastewater management, delivered to oil, gas, and industrial clients.
• Laboratory Services (ISO/IEC 17025) ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory services for upstream, downstream, energy, and environmental industries, requested through the RIPI service desk portal with assigned service IDs (e.g., 13082762000 for laboratory services, 13082764000 for research services).
• Nano-Fluid Technology for Enhanced Oil Recovery Proprietary nano-fluid (nanosilica) formulations injected into oil reservoirs to improve wettability and increase oil recovery rates, validated in the Belal (Balal) oil field and offered to Iranian upstream operators.
• Refining Catalysts (including next-generation SRU Catalysts) Development and localization of catalysts for refining processes including sulfur recovery units, developed in partnership with domestic catalyst manufacturers and licensed to Iranian refineries.
• Odorant Monitoring Device First domestically manufactured device for monitoring odorant substances in urban gas distribution systems, enhancing safety monitoring capabilities at gas utilities.
• ANG (Adsorbed Natural Gas) Technology Nanotechnology-based natural gas storage system using ANG tanks (CNG-style storage vessels) for managing peak demand in remote areas, licensed to and deployed with IGEDC and NIGC affiliates.
• Variable Speed Process Compressor Integrally geared variable-speed centrifugal process compressor for poly-propylene units, featuring nano-coated impellers with over 85% domestic manufacturing depth, offered to petrochemical plant operators.
• Furnace Gas Analyzer Design, localization, and construction of gas analyzer systems for acid gas streams at refinery furnace units, delivered to Abadan Oil Refinery.
• Training Programs Professional training courses for petroleum, gas, and petrochemical industries, leveraging expert instructors and technology platforms, aligned with Iran's strategic energy sector human resource development.
• SDA (Solvent Deasphalting) Process Technology Proprietary process technology for separating asphaltenes from heavy oil cuts using the SDA process, currently piloted at Zavieh Industrial Town with capability to be licensed to refining operators.
• Process Equipment Design and Construction (with Euro Aslat Pars) Design and construction of process reactors and main equipment for RIPI-licensed oil and petrochemical units, delivered jointly with Euro Aslat Pars to strengthen the domestic design-to-build chain for process equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nanosilica injection at Belal oil field successfully changed wettability in reservoir rock, validated by NIOC Research and Technology division
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EuroAtlantic ParscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 1405In July 2026 (1405), RIPI and EuroAtlantic Pars signed a collaboration contract for the design-through-construction of process equipment. The agreement aims to design and build process reactors and main equipment for RIPI-licensed units in the oil and petrochemical industries, strengthening the domestic design-to-build chain for process equipment.
• Gohar Ceramics (Geharasaram)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 1405RIPI and Gohar Ceramics signed a strategic contract for the localization of next-generation sulfur recovery unit (SRU) catalysts. This partnership supports Iran's broader technology localization goals and value chain completion in the refining sector.
• Abadan Oil RefinerycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 1403A contract was signed between RIPI and Abadan Oil Refinery for the design, localization, and construction of a gas analyzer for the acid gas outlet of the refinery's furnace unit. Additionally, knowledge-sharing events and refinery maintenance cooperation were conducted between the parties.
• Hamkav Partner Intelligent Engineering Services (Companion Poumesh)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 1403A cooperation MoU was signed between RIPI and the knowledge-based company Hamkav Partner to develop innovative technologies and achieve digital transformation in the oil and gas industry.
• Asin Abhar Steel ComplexminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 1403A cooperation MoU was signed between RIPI and Asin Abhar Steel Complex with the goal of developing scientific and industrial cooperation. This extends RIPI's technology services beyond the petroleum sector.
• Petrochemical PardisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 1403A cooperation MoU was signed between RIPI and Petrochemical Pardis with the goal of optimal utilization of facilities, expanding cooperation areas, and leveraging the respective capabilities of both parties.
• Lavan RefinerycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 1403Lavan Refinery collaborated with RIPI on the 'Clean Production' project, which received the 3rd place award in the Eurasian Green Technologies competition and was supported by the United Nations. The project implemented integrated preventive strategies to simultaneously reduce pollution and increase operational efficiency in a refinery unit.
• Indonesia's Agency for Science and Technology (BRIN)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 1403Representatives of RIPI and Indonesia's BRIN met to explore areas of mutual cooperation. BRIN has international cooperation experience in catalysts, new energies, mercury diagnostic sensors, and surfactants. RIPI's capabilities were presented and cooperation was discussed.
• Iranian Gas Engineering and Development Company (IGEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 1403IGEDC and RIPI signed a research contract for basic design and EPC tender documents for ANG (Adsorbed Natural Gas) nano-technology storage tanks at pressure reduction stations in Talesh region, Golestan Province. A 5-year MoU for licensing gas processing units was also signed. This is the first deployment of ANG technology in Iran for peak demand management.
• Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC / NISOC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1401With support from Iranian Offshore Oil Company, RIPI's nanosilica fluid was successfully injected into well BL-1P at the Belal oil field. The performance of the nanosilica in changing wettability was validated by NIOC's Research and Technology division. The project progressed from Phase 1 (18,000 barrels injected in 2021) to Phase 2 pilot (1,000 barrels/day using HUFF and PUFF method in 1403).
• Universities (Petroleum University, Amir Kabir University, Isfahan University of Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIPI collaborates with Iranian universities including Petroleum University (for joint research and workforce training), Amir Kabir University (chemistry students visit RIPI labs), and Isfahan University of Technology (expert lectures in journal clubs).
• Mapna Group (Meco)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIPI President Dr. Kalantari-Asl visited Mapna Group (subsidiary of MAPNA) with a delegation to explore technological capabilities and develop bilateral cooperation in energy technologies.
• Technology Park and Innovation Center of Oil IndustryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIPI collaborates with the Oil Industry Technology Park and Innovation Center (under the supervision of RIPI President) for technology commercialization and startup ecosystem development.
• Iranian Petroleum MinistrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIPI operates under the strategic direction of Iran's Ministry of Oil. The Ministry coordinates RIPI's activities with national oil companies and sets technology development priorities. Minister of Oil has emphasized strengthening cooperation between GECF and RIPI.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN): French applied research institute dedicated to energy, transport, and environment with strong upstream-to-refining coverage. Closest Western peer in terms of diversified energy R&D campus model and technology licensing business.
• Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR): State-affiliated Gulf-region research institute with petroleum, energy, and environment programs. Operates under national oil company mandate similar to RIPI and serves as a regional peer in technology localization and applied R&D.
• Research Institute of Petroleum Processing (RIPP, SINOPEC): SINOPEC's central petroleum refining R&D institute in China, covering refining catalysts, process licensing, and petrochemical technology. Most direct institutional analogue to RIPI's downstream campus in terms of mandate and operating model.
• Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP, CSIR): CSIR-affiliated national petroleum R&D lab focused on refining, catalysis, and alternative fuels. Closely comparable mandate and operating model to RIPI's downstream and energy & environment campuses in an emerging-market context.
• CENPES (Petrobras Research Center): Petrobras's integrated R&D center operating across upstream, downstream, and energy transition. Comparable national-oil-company-affiliated research institute with similar three-pillar structure and field-pilot deployment capabilities.

Emerging players

• Petroleum Institute (Khalifa University, UAE): Gulf-region petroleum education and research body with upstream and refining research programs. Regional peer focused on workforce development and applied R&D, comparable to RIPI's training and R&D mandate.
• Norwegian SINTEF Energy Research: Independent European applied research organization with strong upstream and energy-transition programs. Comparable in applied R&D and pilot deployment but operates in a different (Western, well-funded) institutional context.

Others

• National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL, US DOE): US Department of Energy national laboratory focused on fossil energy R&D including upstream, refining, and CCUS. Comparable in being a government-affiliated energy research institute with licensing and pilot programs, though in a different regulatory and funding context.

Regional players

• TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM), Turkey: Turkish state research center operating energy, materials, and environment institutes. A regional peer with comparable state-affiliated applied R&D model but operating under different geopolitical and funding conditions.

Broad incumbents

• Saudi Aramco Research Centers: Aramco's global R&D network (including Dhahran, Detroit, and Boston) covering upstream and downstream innovation. A larger, well-funded incumbent operating in the same petroleum R&D category with much broader geographic and capital reach than RIPI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ripi

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Research Institute of Petroleum Industry