Caspian Energy (CE): SOCAR PETROLEUM planned to increase the number of its filling stations up to 29 in 2018. Has the company managed to accomplish the plan and what are the plans for 2019?
Togrul Seyidov, General Director of SOCAR PETROLEUM CJSC: The number of filling stations is increasing in our country day by day. Out of the total number of petrol stations operating under the brands of different companies, 28 stations account for SOCAR PETROLEUM. Compressed natural gas (CNG) pumps were installed in two of these filling stations. Besides, there is a compressed natural gas terminal (BAKU BUS) which is selling CNG. Thus, the Company that was established in 2008 to sell and purchase oil products in Azerbaijan and provide quality services in fuel supply in accordance with international standards, commissions petrol filling stations under the brand name of SOCAR.
CE: What are the plans of the CJSC in regard to launch of CNG-filling stations in Azerbaijan? To what extent can the demand for this type of fuel increase in the near future?
Togrul Seyidov: Last year, SOCAR PETROLEUM commissioned two CNG stations in Baku, meeting the top standards. In 2019, we plan to increase CNG stations in Baku and regions adjacent to the capital up to 20. It is noteworthy that unlike conventional types of fuel, CNG is produced out of natural gas, not oil. Compared to conventional types of fuel, safe and environmentally clean CNG is more beneficial in terms of the price. At the same time, availability of big gas reserves in our country makes it possible to ensure in the near future broad CNG consumption in our country as an alternative type of motor fuel.
CE: To what extent does the quality and price of fuel sold at petrol filling stations of SOCAR Petroleum meet the requirements of the times and client expectations?
Togrul Seyidov: SOCAR PETROLEUM CJSC, which aims at constant customer satisfaction growth, is extending measures to improve the quality of service. At present, the work in this direction is ongoing.
I would like to note that not only SOCAR but also petrol filling stations operating under other brands get A-92 fuel and diesel fuel from the single source – Heydar Aliyev oil refinery. Despite the single source of fuel supply, products of filling stations operating in the country are different in terms of quality. It first of all depends on the storage conditions.
All types of fuel of SOCAR PETROLEUM filling stations undergo monthly inspection at experimental oil-gas and petrochemical products laboratory of the metrology institute, after which a protocol containing inspection results is issued.
Thus, the quality of fuel products is regularly controlled by lab tests carried out by competent public bodies. Besides, according to the approved schedule, underground storages of SOCAR filling stations are cleaned twice a year. This is the reason why products sold at SOCAR stations differ from those of other petrol filling stations in terms of quality.
CE: Opening of each new filling station means new working places for the country’s citizens. What is the number of employees working for SOCAR Petroleum?
Togrul Seyidov: According to the Azerbaijan Republic President’s decree on approval of the State programme on socio-economic development of the Azerbaijan Republic regions for 2014-2018, SOCAR PETROLEUM CJSC is contributing and intends to make contribution in future as well. The CJSC is making all efforts to ensure sustainable development of the oil sector, open new working places and increase employment both in Baku and in all other regions of the country. Based on these principles, the network of the filling stations operating under the SOCAR brand name in Azerbaijan is growing actively and at present there are about 40 people working in each of these stations.
CE: What types of fuel are being sold at your filling stations and are there plans to extend this list in the near future?
Togrul Seyidov: Such fuels as A-92, diesel fuel, Premium and SUPER are sold at filling stations operating under the brand name of SOCAR. As far as the conformity of these types of fuel with ecological standards is concerned, domestically produced A-92 meets Euro-3 ecological standards while diesel fuel meets Euro-4.
Imported Super and Premium fuels meet Euro-5 standard. In general, the demand for A-92 and diesel fuel is much higher at SOCAR stations because many trucks, taxi cabs and busses are consuming these types of fuels.
CE: Given the increasing number of filling stations in the country, does the CJSC plan to increase the number of fuel depots of SOCAR PETROLEUM in Baku and regions?
Togrul Seyidov: The operation of 11 regional fuel terminals engaged in reception, storage and wholesale of oil products has made it easier to meet local entrepreneurs’ demand for oil products. Nowadays, entrepreneurs can acquire fuel at regional depots of oil terminals owned by SOCAR PETROLEUM CJSC. There is no need to overcome big distances by high-capacity transport facilities towards the central cities. It is safe to say that a reliable foundation for a sustainable development of SOCAR PETROLEUM CJSC as a high-quality company has already been laid.
Thank you for the interview
