Oil and Gas

Crude oil is a thick and flammable liquid, dark brown, dark green, or black in color, that is found in the upper layers of parts of the Earth's crust. Oil consists of a complex mixture of various hydrocarbons mainly composed of the two elements hydrogen and carbon, and it also contains smaller amounts of heavier elements such as nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

Oil is found naturally underground and rarely on the surface of the earth. With the development of drilling technology in the mid-nineteenth century and the advancement of distillation and refining technology in the late same century, along with the expansion of non-fuel applications, a remarkable transformation occurred in the use of oil; in such a way that today petrochemical industries play a fundamental and essential role in meeting the general needs of society.

Iran's oil industry is considered the most important industry of this country. Iran was the fourth largest producer of crude oil in the world in 2001. According to the estimates of Oil and Gas Journal, as of January 2011 Iran's proven oil reserves were about 137 billion barrels, equivalent to nearly 10 percent of global reserves, and the country's natural gas reserves were estimated at about 1045 trillion cubic feet, equivalent to 16 percent of the world's reserves.

The development of the oil and gas industry and the increase of capability in designing and manufacturing the equipment and components required by this industry necessitate the expansion of research and development units. In this regard, Razi Metallurgy Research Center has established extensive cooperation with the oil, gas, and related industries.

Inspection and quality control of parts and assemblies that require specific characteristics in terms of mechanical strength and resistance to corrosion caused by seawater or sour gas are continuously carried out in the laboratories of this center. Also, investigating the causes of failure and corrosion and providing preventive solutions, as well as selecting and designing suitable alloys in accordance with service conditions, are among the other specialized services of this center.

In addition, Razi Metallurgy Research Center has implemented numerous industrial projects with units active in the oil and gas industry, among which one can refer to the coating of electrodes of refinery electrolysis units and the reconstruction and development of technology for the production of wellhead control valves.