The correct implementation of environmental policy is also a priority direction of our activity alongside the economic, technical, political modernization of control mechanisms in oil and gas industry, effectiveness of country’s energy potential and production processes, application of scientific and technical innovations were the platform for inclusion of SOCAR into the list of international energy companies with vast business opportunities.
Common directions of our practical activity include provision of environmental security, compliance and further improvement of environmental protection system in line with the international standards, effective use of natural resources, addressing environmental problems peculiar for the oil and gas industry, reduction of its negative impact on environment and people’s health. The SOCAR leadership pays continuous attention to prevention of soil, water and athmosphere pollution. In this view, SOCAR is particularily sensitive about environmental issues in its own operations as well as the operations of its international partners.
It is worth mentioning that the Contract of the Century signed in 1994 envisages the 30-year joint development of Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli block of fields in the Caspian Azeri sector. Under the latest geological estimates, the oil and gas reserves on these fields comprise 1bn tons and 200bn cubic meters respectively. Their development is operated by BP Azerbaijan.
In order to increase attention to environmental protection as one of the current global challenges in the development of oil and gas fields, SOCAR and BP Azerbaijan organized the working groups to organize joint events in different areas.
One of the major environmental achievements has become the logical outcome of the continuing cooperation between SOCAR and BP Azerbaijan. The companies have successfully completed the project launched in accordance with the instruction of the country’s President, Mr.Ilham Aliyev made in 2010 – the year of ecology. The volume of flared associated gas was reduced as a result of introduction of innovations on the technological process in Chirag oil field on 23rd August. With the purpose to reduce flared gas, the companies implemented consistent measures, reconstructed the gas collection compressors on Chirag platform, established a soft security barrier to minimize the risks. In addition, SOCAR has overhauled the gas-receiving station on Oil Rocks field operated by Azneft PU for the transmission of the collected gas to the gas collection system.
SOCAR and BP do not confine to this achievement and are raising joint efforts to develop gained successes in the future. Latest technologies are being applied as part of cooperation to prevent flaring of associated gas. Certainly, the aim of the companies is to reach a zero level of flaring.
Moreover, SOCAR continues successful work in its own operations. The project ‘Utilization of low-pressure associated gases on offshore Gunashli and Oil Rocks to reduce emission of gases causing the greenhouse effect into the atmosphere’ won the GGFR premium in the nomination ‘For achiecements in reducing flaring’ and received a special certificate. The annual emission of 8,000 tons of methan, equivalent to CO2, was prevented by this project.
All of the mentioned shows improvement in the system of environmental protection and security, its compliance with international demands, resolution of existing ecological problems and successful continuation of implementation of activities towards minimization of the environmental impact.
Our national leader Heydar Aliyev once said: “Great oil and gas reserves in Azerbaijan mean happiness of our people today and in the future, this is the major factor for the country’s development”. We should use our wealth with respect to the present and the future, healthy nature and healthy society.
