VIEW FROM THE TOP |
EFFICIENCY, REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ARE TOP PRIORITIES MARCO OSORIO Director General of IMP
Q: How would you characterize the new role IMP will
Our job is to support this increase while shortening the
play in the administration’s plans for Mexico’s oil and gas
development cycle of these technologies as much as possible.
development?
We have grown our infrastructure to fulfill this role. A great
A: The federal government has been very clear regarding
example of this is the formerly know Center for Deepwater
its expectations of IMP, and these are very much aligned
Technology (CTAP) in Boca Del Rio, Veracruz. CTAP started
with what historically has been our four main functions. The
operations in 2018. It has five laboratories that are fully staffed
first is the creation and development of new technologies.
and working on an initial project portfolio that includes testing
Second is the massification of those same technologies.
technologies that PEMEX plans to implement as early as
What this means is that our technological development
this year. We are working to expand the range of CTAP’s
process cannot be merely exploratory or academic in
capabilities by converting it into a center where all kinds of
nature, but must instead focus on technologies that can
exploration and production technologies can be developed.
be supplied and marketed. Everything we develop needs
Therefore, we have changed its name to Center for Exploration
to reach the market and be designed to solve specific
and Production Technology (CTEP). I would also like to
industry wide problems. Our third function is to generate
mention this year’s inauguration of CNH’s two lithoteques, one
and support national capabilities in terms of human
of which IMP is currently managing. We played a significant
resources and talent. This means creating and representing
role in helping CNH develop its procedures for the storage,
internationally competitive human capital dedicated to
handling and analysis of these samples.
serving the national industry’s needs and addressing specific challenges. Finally, our fourth function is to be a
Q: What are some of the challenges for the midstream and
kind of technical consultant for the federal government.
downstream segments?
This last function has been adapted to the expectations of
A: As extracted crude gets heavier; Mexico’s midstream
the new administration.
and downstream infrastructure needs to be developed and optimized to process and transform it. In the midstream area,
Q: What are the most important items on IMP’s agenda
IMP is conducting research by testing the mechanical and
regarding upstream development?
physical aspects of our storage and transportation systems. In
A: One of our main priorities in our approach to developing
the downstream segment, IMP will continue to play a key role
technologies for the industry’s entire value chain is
in the development cycle of the Dos Bocas refinery project.
efficiency and reducing environmental impact. In terms of
Our participation in this project is part of a wider agenda of
the upstream segments of that chain, this is expressed in a
renovation and modernization of Mexico’s entire downstream
number of ways. One is characterization: we are looking for
apparatus, including existing refineries and petrochemical
new ways to create precise and accurate models of Mexico’s
complexes as well. We are working to make their processes
reservoirs through the effective collection and interpretation
more flexible and to integrate more cracking procedures into
of data. Another is the developing and testing of chemical
the stages. To reduce environmental impact, these stages
products for higher levels of flow and production assurance.
need to be less energy intensive and more environmentally
This is done as part of a wider production strategy that
productive, which not only means reducing the sulfur content
is also integrated with the exploration priorities that
of fuels but also the content of other pollutants.
focuses on increasing recovery factors of between 50 and 70 percent. The technologies we develop toward that purpose and their development cycles all need to function
The Mexican Petroleum Institute (IMP) has 54 years of experience
economically at US$30 per barrel. This is why PEMEX has
in generating expertise and technological capabilities for the
communicated its intention to increase the use of EOR, IOR
hydrocarbons sector. Its goal is to maximize value generation in
and artificial lift technologies and services.
exploration, production and transformation process
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