2. Studies and Analysis

JPEC conducts research in the socioeconomic and technical fields in response to social needs such as stable supply of oil, preservation of the environment, and enhance of the competitiveness of the oil industry. The results of JPEC’s research are widely publicized at meeting and conferences.
JPEC’s main areas of socioeconomic and technological research are as shown below:

(1) Socioeconomic Topics

Every year, studies are conducted concerning the following five topics which are relevant to the issues that Japan’s petroleum industry faces, including the enhancement of the national energy security and the international competitiveness of the petroleum industry:

1. Trends in oil supply and demand as well as in quality regulations
2. Energy security
3. Environment and energy saving
4. Increase of competitive advantage and profitability
5. Reinforcement of petroleum industry’s infrastructure

(2) Technological Topics

Studies from a technological viewpoint focus on the following topics every year, so that the study results will be used as resources for determining technological/research strategies of the petroleum industry:

1. Research on fuel oil manufacturing technologies tailored to future environmental needs
2. Research on processing technologies for processing unconventional crude oils, extra heavy crude oils and other types of oil.
3. Research on technologies for clean use and evaluation of petroleum fuels to enable improvement of air quality.
4. Research on trend of use, technologies for utilization, and innovative technologies in the area of new type of fuel oil.