s.s azaimpour - nanotechnology group idea generation center
h bargozin - nanotechnology group idea generation center
s naghashian - nanotechnology group idea generation center
p motamedi - nanotechnology group idea generation center

since nanotechnology is essentially new to the field of petroleum industry , having a clear strategy toward the research and development of this novel area can play a vital role in technical innovations and progresses wighin the petroleum field . Thus a well defined strategy is required to guide petroleum industry to know its best way to invest on nanotechnology applications in oil , gas and petrochemicals.the main questions for top management are first, what are the best options for R&D investment and second , how and when the industry should move toward these options in order to minimize the risks of applicaiton and development of nanotechnology. answering these questions in this multi discipline area is in great need of various studies and activities such as an extensive literature survey, technology identification, technological capability auditing and technology attractiveness assessment. on the other hand this study needs a strong approach for analyzing the results . the area of interest and focus of this research was upstream in petroleum industry. after identifying technologies in the form of an integrated technology tree a priority assessment was carried out to determine those areas of industry which are the most suitable for research or investment regarding the future of industry.

strategic policy making , priority assessment , upstream industry , nanotechnology , AHP method