New Delhi: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Oil India Ltd. (OIL), a Navaratna company and state enterprise engaged in exploration of oil, have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to pursue technological partnership in select domains across the energy value chain. This will be a collaborative arrangement between labs of CSIR and OIL.
The MoU was signed by CSIR director general N Kalaiselvi and OIL chairman and managing director Ranjit Rath. Director level officers of the OIL, heads of scientific directorate of CSIR and other senior officers both from OIL and CSIR were present during the event.
The MoU puts in place a formal framework for collaboration between OIL and CSIR labs. The objective of the MoU is to facilitate collaboration for pursuing research in advanced technologies for energy security. The preliminary areas identified for joint research and development (R&D) activities and technology partnership include hydrocarbon exploration, upstream and downstream operations and expansion of new and renewable energy and energy storage systems.
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The ogranisations will also collaborate on development of green and renewable hydrogen / biohydrogen (H2), reduction in environmental pollution and bioremediation, waste treatment including oil separation and recovery from wastewater and waste sludge including crude oil sludge, corrosion inspection and anti-corrosion coating and extraction of Lithium and other rare earth elements from oilfield water. Scientists will also work out convert stranded natural gas to fuel molecules and strive for decarbonisation and net zero targets.
On the occasion, Rath said that “OIL has a long association with CSIR labs like IIP and NEIST and has been working together in past. The present MoU will open the gateway for collaboration with all the labs of CSIR. OIL being an integrated energy company intends to be at the forefront in terms of technology adoption in the energy value chain with a global presence providing value to the stakeholders. The collaboration with CSIR would play a catalytic role to achieve these objectives in mission mode.”
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Kalaiselvi, also secretary, department of scientific and industrial research (DSIR), said, “CSIR is a premier R&D organization engaged in cutting-edge R&D and developing technologies & products in frontiers areas Science and technology. CSIR is known for its capabilities and competency in Industrial R&D. Thus, this collaboration would not only be mutually rewarding but also beneficial for the country and the common man in long term.”
Both organisations have also agreed to work towards capacity building through training and skill development. The OIL would also consider providing corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding support towards achieving sustainable development goals, aspirational districts, rural development, government missions/initiatives etc.
