WANA (Jul 23) – The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into Iran’s oil industry has opened a new chapter in enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving the accuracy of resource forecasting. Modern technologies are increasingly replacing traditional methods across exploration, extraction, and equipment maintenance.

 

As one of the world’s leading oil-rich nations, Iran is witnessing more precise, faster, and cost-effective operations through innovation—from extraction and refining to equipment upkeep, everything is becoming more manageable and safer. However, despite these technological advancements, the country still has a long journey ahead toward widespread and comprehensive implementation.

 

Major Achievements and Examples

Domestically Produced Valves

Ball valves, widely used in the oil and gas industry to control fluid flow, are now being manufactured domestically by a knowledge-based Iranian company. These 42-inch valves can be repaired on-site without being removed from the pipeline, saving the country over $3 million in foreign currency. This innovation marks a major step toward self-sufficiency in the oil sector.

AI Revolutionizes Iran’s Oil Industry. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Advanced Pipeline Coatings Enable Strategic Oil Transfer

Protective coatings for oil and gas pipelines are essential to prevent corrosion and withstand extreme temperatures. A domestic industrial company has successfully developed high-performance epoxy coatings, facilitating the successful oil transfer from Goreh to Jask along a strategic pipeline route.

 

Boosting Drilling Safety with Local Equipment

Well-control equipment, essential for safe drilling operations, was previously difficult to obtain due to sanctions and material shortages. A local engineering and manufacturing firm has now met much of the country’s demand using high-quality, globally competitive products. These tools effectively control well pressure and enable environmentally safer drilling operations.

 

24/7 Pipeline Safety Against Explosions

A domestic technology firm has designed a device used from the wellhead to the refinery output to monitor gas impurities in real-time, automatically, and continuously. This prevents potential explosions in gas transmission lines. The imported alternatives were previously unreliable under Iranian environmental conditions and lacked post-sales support due to sanctions.

AI Revolutionizes Iran’s Oil Industry. Social media/ WANA News Agency

AI-Driven Breakthrough: Reviving Forgotten Wells with 10x Output

One of the most promising advancements is the launch of the Well, Reservoir & Topside Management (WRTM) Center, described as the beating heart of Iran’s upstream oil and gas industry. Operational since December 2024, this center enables intelligent data monitoring and analysis, setting a new benchmark for industry digitalization.

 

During the center’s inauguration, Hossein Afshin, Deputy Vice President for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, announced the upcoming integration of artificial intelligence into the project’s next phase. By utilizing machine learning and advanced data analytics, AI is expected to automate operations, deliver more accurate forecasts, and reduce risks and operational costs.

 

Following the center’s launch, AI capabilities have been added to the platform through collaborations with top universities and tech startups. The WRTM platform provides real-time data collection, analysis, and alerts through a unified system. Data from seven wells has already shown that optimized operations have led to an additional 12,500 barrels per day in output.

 

Even more remarkably, in the Sepehr oil field—previously overlooked due to low yield predictions—AI-driven optimizations have increased production from 6,500 barrels to 65,000 barrels per day, highlighting the transformative impact of these technologies.