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How R&D works

By vocation, IFP focuses its activities on applied research.
This covers all the scientific and technological fields related to the energy, transport and environment industries:

exploration,

drilling,
production,
refining,
petrochemicals,
internal combustion engines,
rational energy use,
new energy technologie,
CO₂ capture and storage,
etc.

In each of the above fields, IFP’s teams take environmental issues into consideration.

These research and development activities are supported by a matrix organization, adapted to multi-disciplinary work.

Matrix organization- Operation by projects

Technology Business Units

IFP’s 3 technology business units are responsible for designing and conducting research and development programs. They also manage their industrial outlets. They operate in the following fields:

Research Divisions

IFP’s 11 research divisions group together all the scientific expertise and technical resources relating to the same disciplinary field.
The research divisions are responsible for conducting research and development work. They ensure that the highest scientific standards and the quality of results are maintained. They are also responsible for ensuring a broad balance between:
- fundamental research and applied research,
- experimental approach and modeling,
- work conducted internally and external partnerships.

IFP’s strength lies in this integrated structure that combines fundamental research and research with an industrial focus. Hence, IFP positions itself as one of the leading global research and development centers in the field of energy, transport and the environment. Its portfolio of more than 12,500 patents, maintained by a continuous flow of innovations, is a perfect illustration of this.

Scientific Management

IFP has established a dynamic scientific policy. The objective is to develop the scientific excellence of IFP’s teams as well as their capacity to innovate, particularly through the integration of the most recent advances in fundamental research.

Scientific management is an innovation support structure for the whole of IFP.

It conducts prospective reflection, in partnership with the scientific board and the research divisions, in order to identify the major issues of the future. It identifies the tools and emerging expertise that with enable IFP to maintain its research and development at the highest possible level.
It is an open door to the academic world. It forges and reinforces links between the research divisions and IFP’s teaching staff and external academic and applied research teams working in the energy field in France and abroad.
In partnership with the IFP School, it ensures that post-graduate students receive solid education and training through research and helps them enter the labor market.
It reinforces IFP’s scientific image by encouraging publications and managing scientific conferences organized by IFP. In this context, it publishes the information letter, Science@ifp.