نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسندگان English
Objective: Given that the South Pars offshore gas platform projects involve a field shared with Qatar, any delay results in the loss of a portion of the national share. Nevertheless, many of these projects have faced schedule overruns, cost increases, and rework. Some of these deviations stem from weaknesses in project financial management—such as a failure to forecast cash flow, currency fluctuations, and delays in settlement or the release of guarantees. Consequently, transitioning toward "intelligent financial management"—characterized by real-time, data-driven monitoring of costs, liquidity, and financial risks, alongside the dynamic allocation of resources—has become a prerequisite for the success of these projects. This study aims to identify, validate, and rank the success factors for the management of these projects and to develop a localized model, with a specific emphasis on the requirements of intelligent financial management.
Methodology: This research is applied in nature, descriptive-analytical in approach, and employs a mixed-methods design. Initial factors were extracted through a literature review and semi-structured interviews with experts (using Grounded Theory), and were subsequently refined through three rounds of the Delphi method. Questionnaire data were collected from 97 professionals involved in South Pars projects (drawn from a population of 130, based on the Morgan table) and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The weights and rankings of the factors were determined via the Best-Worst Method (BWM) using GAMS software.
Findings: Eight dimensions of success were identified, most of which focus on the project closure, handover, and transition-to-operation phases. The structural model explained 79.9% of the variance in project success (R² = 0.799, Q² = 0.479, GOF = 0.582), and all six tested paths were found to be statistically significant. In the BWM ranking, "technical challenges, contractual requirements, and customer satisfaction" ranked first (with a weight of 0.219), followed by "resource and risk management" (0.165) and "a structured transition-to-operation plan and information system updates" (0.147). The ranking of "Resource and Risk Management" in second place, combined with the significant impact it has on success (β = 0.254), underscores the pivotal role of smart financial management in these projects.
Conclusion: The success of offshore gas platform projects depends less on physical completion and more on "successful handover to the operator." Contractual clarity at the project closure stage, management of punch lists, the phased release of guarantees, and a knowledge management system spanning different phases serve as key levers for enhancing performance in future phases. Implementing a smart financial management system—which integrates project information systems with real-time monitoring of costs, liquidity, progress payments, and guarantees—provides the operational foundation for these levers.
کلیدواژهها English
