When esteemed colleagues suggested drafting a narrative to recount the achievements of the Iranian Gas Engineering & Development Company (IGEDC) in the year 1402 AH (which ended on March 20, 2024), I resolved to delve beyond the plethora of honorable successes of this year. Amongst the illustrious milestones, such as the progression in constructing Phase 2 of the Ilam Gas Refinery, the expansion of gas storage fields, the laying of hundreds of kilometers of pipelines, and the initiation of the National Smartization Project, I aimed to shed light on a less conspicuous yet profoundly significant aspect: the record-breaking simultaneous establishment of 13 gas pressure boosting stations.
The significance of commemorating this milestone extends beyond its notable impact on the evolution of the gas industry's infrastructure, akin to the lifeblood coursing through Iran's veins. It underscores the efficacy of a fundamental development principle: long-term planning. This principle serves as a blueprint for the advancement of other sectors of the national industry. The 100% mastery of Iranian engineers in the construction, installation, and commissioning process of these stations, particularly the intricate turbo compressors, underscores Iran's resilience amidst one of the most stringent contemporary sanctions. Had it not been for the foresight of gas industry leaders in formulating long-term plans to transfer technology to domestic companies manufacturing turbo compressors, this strategic industry would have faced daunting challenges in energy transmission from production hubs to consumers in the vast gas network during sanction times, culminating in a doubling of gas transmission capacity would have seemed an insurmountable feat.
To understand how Iran attained its current position over the decades, one must embark on a journey to the outset of this eventful path.
1. The 1970s: Foreign Monopoly and the Emergence of the "Nevsky" Brand
Let us journey back to the 1960s when the construction of the first national gas pipeline to transport gas from the Bidboland Refinery to the former Soviet Union was prioritized. To prevent gas pressure loss along this lengthy route, the construction of 10 pressure boosting stations was planned, thereby introducing the concept of stations and their heart, the turbo compressor, into the country's industrial landscape. Given that gas was a nascent energy source in Iran, and Iran not only lacked the capacity to manufacture complex equipment but also refrained from producing even simple equipment at the time, it was natural that there was no domestic technology for manufacturing turbo compressors. The best option was to purchase the prominent brand of that time, the American General Electric turbines. However, the United States was not inclined to assist Iran in entering the international gas trade arena or perhaps aiding its competitor, the Soviet Union. Thus, the "Nevsky" brand was procured from the former Soviet Union and installed in the stations.
Iranian Involvement in this Period: Iranians did not have a better role than service workers at this stage. Even the laborers and machine operators executing the foreign projects were foreigners. The coincidence of station commissioning with the January holiday season was a perennial issue during these years since foreign experts would even take holidays in winter and were unwilling to stay in Iran. There was a noticeable shortage of skilled Iranian labor during this period, and the initiative in installation and operation was in the hands of foreigners.
2. The Revolution and the Entry of Italian, German, and Ukrainian Brands
Gradually, as the late 1970s approached, regional and international conditions were influenced by transformations. The former Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan led to its sanctions by the United States, causing it to lose its technological dependence on America. Similarly, Iran was sanctioned by the United States after the revolution, losing the possibility of importing turbines from this country and its allies. In such circumstances, the country's energy policymakers turned to Italy, and the "Nuovo Pignone" turbine, built under General Electric license, was introduced to Iran's industry in the mid-1990s.
Later, in the late 1990s, the German brand known as "Man" and subsequently the Ukrainian turbine "Zorya" also experienced a presence in Iran's gas pressure boosting facilities.
Iranian Involvement in this Period: Although the tireless efforts of domestic engineers in studying technical literature and gaining experience shifted the balance and fueled their progress, until the mid-1990s, foreigners still had the upper hand in technical meetings. This trend continued until the early 2000s.
3. The 2000s: The Dawn of Domestic Brilliance
Entering the 2000s, the country's energy decision-makers, envisioning the burgeoning gas production from the South Pars field and the acceleration in constructing national pipelines, took a momentous step. By signing a valuable and historic contract with Siemens Germany, they facilitated the transfer of turbine manufacturing technology to Iran, effectively indigenousating it.
The domestication of 50 turbo compressor units was a forward-thinking measure, laying the initial brick for larger strides. Over the span of a decade, many critical components of these strategic devices were domestically manufactured.
Later, additional contracts for 200 units were signed, paving the way for the indigenization of two renowned brands from Western Europe (Siemens) and Eastern Europe (Zorya). In recent years, domestically produced turbines have outperformed their branded counterparts and have proudly placed Iran's name alongside well-established companies from the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Russia in the World Turbine Manufacturers Club; to the extent that with defined upgrades on these two brands, the current performance, efficiency, and productivity of the turbo compressors surpass those of the transferred technology turbines. Research activities have seamlessly merged with technology transfer to the extent that an institute for research and development has been established, and its products have been implemented in new turbine models.
Iranian Involvement in this Period: Currently, not even a single foreign expert is seen in the process of construction, installation, and commissioning of gas pressure boosting facilities. The turbine is among the first equipment to arrive at the site, and its efficiency continuously improves. In the latest development, the "IGT25-HAS" turbine, designed for warm climate conditions, has been installed at Khormoj Station.
We are grateful to God Almighty for the emergence of confidence in the country's industrialists, the creation of job opportunities for hundreds of elite and innovative engineers in the design, manufacturing, research, and development sectors of companies such as MAPNA and OTC and their subsidiaries, preventing currency outflow, and exporting equipment and sensitive components. These talents have enriched the treasury of achievements in the gas industry under the umbrella of strategic, long-term planning.
The reality is that it is insufficient to document and recount the evolutionary journey that gas soldiers have undertaken over the decades, at the cost of their lifetimes, to unravel the intricacies of complex machinery and elevate Iran to the position of the world's seventh-largest turbine manufacturer.
We are grateful to God for granting such achievements to the experts of this country in the face of harsh sanctions, as explicitly stated by the esteemed Leader of the Revolution, Jihad. They have served wholeheartedly in the service of the beloved and honorable people of our country. I must doubly thank the Almighty for granting me the opportunity to breathe and live among the distinguished scholars and enthusiasts of my beloved country, Iran. Undoubtedly, this eager gathering will ascend new summits set in this vast industry, based on the self-confidence derived from this great movement and with reliance on God. Inshallah...
Reza Noshadi
CEO, Iranian Gas Engineering and Development Company (IGEDC)
