Caspian Energy (CE): Mr. Gasimov, how do you evaluate the activity of the company in the oil and gas market of Azerbaijan?
Iftixar Gasimov, Deputy General Director/Chief geologist, SOCAR-AQS LLC: SOCAR-AQS was established in the end of 2007 as a joint venture by its founding partners, State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and Absheron Drilling Company (AQS). The JV partner, SOCAR, brings over 160 years of industrial oil well drilling experience to SOCAR-AQS. The JV partner, AQS, brings advanced drilling technologies and new management methods to SOCAR-AQS.
The purpose of creating the JV was, first, to drill, construct, complete and deliver to the customer in short term and with minimum expenses high-quality oil and gas wells in accordance with the highest international HSE standards; and second, to develop organizational and individual capacities aimed at creation of a modern and competitive drilling company. During the process of drilling and construction of wells, we strictly adhere to the policy of values and standards implemented in the company, and also, to the requirements of customers on maximum safe, high-quality and fast delivery of wells. Over the period of the activities, our company has become a leading drilling company; and by providing high-quality and accident-free services, it has gained a good reputation among its customers, and today, SOCAR-AQS is a competitive drilling company of an international level.
Our aim is to drill and deliver high-quality, high-productive and efficient oil and gas wells ahead of schedule, with primary focus of our activity on quality, safety and operational performance. Main area of operations of SOCAR-AQS covers drilling of oil and gas wells in the Caspian Sea.
CE: What are the results of activities of the company during the last year and what are the plans for 2013?
Iftixar Gasimov: Like in 2010 and 2011, in 2012 too, SOCAR-AQS has fulfilled the obligations imposed by the customer on successful implementation of drilling operations effectively and without incidents. The company has drilled a total of 19547 m versus 17500 planned by the customer, thus, having fulfilled the plan to 111.7%. Similarly, the company has drilled and completed 6 wells versus 5 wells planned by the customer in 2012, and the result was fulfilment of the annual plan to 120%.
The basis of the achievements made by us in 2012, and in whole, of all achievements of the company are those made in the sphere of Health, Safety and Environmental Protection. There was no harm or damage made to human health, the environment and the equipment during the operations; drill cuttings were collected to 100% into the hermetic containers and disposed in specially designated places, in accordance with the legislation requirements. Drainage system was reconstructed for the purpose of prevention during the operations of damage to the environment; and ecologically friendly generators were purchased and put into operation. In addition to that, our employees went in total through 35436 man-hours of training courses in local and foreign training centers with the aim to improve their professional skills and knowledge.
Studying of foreign experience and implementation of international standards is very important for the transformation into the modern-type company. SOCAR-AQS continues to progress in this area as well. Main achievement of the company in the area of implementation of international standards is successful completion of the re-certification audit conducted by the Swiss SGS. The audit covered all sites of SOCAR-AQS, and as a result, the company was re-certified based on 3 international standards on ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) and OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health & Safety Management System). In addition to that, an audit of the processes implemented in the company on the basis of the American Petroleum Institute, API, was conducted in 2 phases. The aim of the company in 2013 in this sphere is successful completion of the next audit phase and obtainment of certification on the basis of API standards.
SOCAR-AQS plans to continue the policy of integration into the international industry and entrance in 2013 into the international market, by means of development of its human resources potential, adaptation of new techniques and technology and improvement of its business processes.
As a result of the above-mentioned achievements, the company was awarded by the “Caspian Energy Integration Award – 2013” prize in the nomination of the “Drilling Company of the Year”.
CE: What remarkable achievements has the company made this year?
Iftixar Gasimov: One of the major achievements is signing of a contract with Bahar Energy Operating Company Limited for drilling of Bahar and Gum Deniz offshore fields in the Azerbaijan sector of Caspian Sea.
At present, SOCAR-AQS is implementing drilling works of Well #716 located on Platform #1, Gum Deniz Field. Estimated total depth of the well is 2900 m. The well will be drilled to Fasila layer. We are confident that these wells too, will be drilled within the shortest term and in full compliance with HSE requirements and requirements of quality of construction of oil and gas wells.
