Caspian Energy (CE): Mr. Seyidov, could you please provide detailed information about company’s operation in the market of oil products? To what extent has the network of petrol filling stations been expanded?

Toghrul Seyidov, Director General, SOCAR Petroleum CJSC: As the result of successful reforms introduced by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in the economy of our country, including in the oil sector, SOCAR Petroleum CJSC was established in January 2008 and began its commercial operation under the brand of SOCAR for arranging efficient purchase-sale of oil products domestically and providing supply services to the diversified transport infrastructure in accordance with the international standards. 

Our company commissioned three petrol filling stations over the past year which combine corresponding spheres of service, reflect latest achievements of science and technology, and are based on projects complying with modern standards.  These facilities were launched in order to lend overall services to the transport infrastructure, developing within the country in accordance with modern requirements, and expand the network of its Petrol Filling Stations.

Apart from this, construction of two more petrol filling stations belonging to CJSC has been completed successfully. They will be commissioned in near future. The network of petrol filling stations operating in Azerbaijan under the brand of SOCAR is rapidly growing. Each petrol station employs at least 60 people. The number of people working for SOCAR Petroleum totals 1850. 

In the meantime, as the result of acquisition and commissioning of district oil terminals that belong to SOCAR and operate for reception, storage and wholesale of oil products opened were new working places and the process of meeting the needs of local entrepreneurs in oil products was also improved. 

Today, the entrepreneurs are able to meet their demand for oil products without coming to the capital of our republic and purchase as much oil products as they need from SOCAR Petroleum CJSC’s oil terminals operating directly in the regions. 

Now we may say with full responsibility that firm basis for sustainable development of SOCAR Petroleum has been laid. 

CE: What projects is the company implementing now?

Toghrul Seyidov: SOCAR Petroleum CJSC is engaged in regular wholesale and retail sale of oil products as well as in providing service to diversified transport infrastructure of Azerbaijan. 

Along with the mentioned projects, our company also carries out a large amount of events for maintaining of sports traditions existing in the region. It is known that physically strong and healthy people play a particular role in protection and growth of the economic potential of a country. Therefore, maintenance and development of sports traditions existing in the country have been one of the main objectives and obligations of every state. It is the reason why the physical culture and sports turned into one of the important needs of the present time for maintaining young generation physically strong and healthy, rational spending of its free time, getting rid of bad habits, training the youth for labor and protection of the homeland. For this purpose, CJSC provides official sponsorship to the Neftchala soccer club of the republic. 

CE: What could you tell about plans for perspective development of the company?

Toghrul Seyidov: Along with construction of petrol filling stations, based on modern projects, meeting the latest achievements of science and technology, and operating those stations, SOCAR Petroleum CJSC plans to expand its business for becoming a strong company to carry out a worthy wholesale and retail sale of oil products within the country in compliance with modern requirements. 

CE: What new technologies did you introduce in your work?

Toghrul Seyidov: The automatic systems in Azerbaijan were, for the first time, introduced at petrol filling stations that belong to SOCAR Petroleum CJSC. These automatic systems were introduced for increasing the quality of services provided to clients. Thus, modernization of services lent at our petrol stations and introduction of cards for cashless payment will enable clients feel comfortable. 

CE: Could you please tell about the training center of SOCAR Petroleum?

Toghrul Seyidov: A training center operates under SOCAR Petroleum CJSC in order to improve knowledge and skills of workers and arrange development of specialized human resources. The purpose of the training center supplied with textbooks of methods, modern technology and equipment is to help those, who wish to find a job, to obtain knowledge as well as improve qualification and working skills of employees already employed  by CJSC. Apart from this, courses are arranged for improving their specialties. SOCAR Petroleum CJSC’s center helps to master training programs, improve professional level of each worker, as well as raise their morally-physiological level. The center carries out a purposeful work for strengthening material-technical base, introducing new and useful training methods. 

CE: What other services does the company plant to provide?

Toghrul Seyidov: SOCAR Petroleum CJSC applies an integrated approach for meeting requirements of consumers. There are cafes which distinguish in their delicious dishes, trading centers providing broad assortment of goods, a hotel meeting European standards, auto-service shops and non contact car wash only available at petrol filling stations of SOCAR Petroleum.