"AZERNEFTYAG"

OIL PROCESSING PLANT IS 125 YEARS OLD

Director
Ramiz Mirzoyev

The history of Azerbaijan has at all stages been closely tied to production and processing of oil, while the territory of Apsheron was long famous for its "black gold" resources. Oil production was first reported in historical sources dating back to the VII - VI centuries BC. However, the history of commercial production of oil in Azerbaijan started in the beginning of the XIX century. Oil production growth was accompanied at that time by technical development. In 1898, Azerbaijan took the first place in the world for oil production rate, leaving the USA behind. Growing production of "black gold" encouraged the increase of interest to and development of oil processing sector, which in turn provided opportunities for the production of valuable oil products. The first two kerosene plants were founded by industrialist Kokorev under assistance of Russian scientist D.I. Mendeleyev, in Balakhany in 1837 and in Surakhany in 1861. In 1863, a Baku technical Javad Melikov built the first oil processing plant in Baku. Thus, kerosene production in Baku totaled 100 thousand poods in 1866. Little later, Baku technician A. Tebrizov designed a process of non stop processing of oil kerosene production increased subsequently up to 847.7 thousand poods in 1875.

The oil and lubricants plant in the Black City was founded with the assistance of K.V. Bikhovsky and oil processing company A.I. Mantashov & Co, in 1879. In the same year, Nobel brothers founded a large oil company, involved into production and processing of oil in Baku. This industrial firm was established by brothers Ludvig, Robert and Alfred Nobel, as well as their friend Peter Bilderling. Ludvig Nobel, who headed the company in the end of the XIX century, was known as "oil king" in the Russian empire. In the 30s of the XX century, small oil distillation and processing plants in Baku served as the basis for establishment of Stalin's oil processing plant. In 1967 the enterprise was renamed to oil refinery and was named after "XXII Party Congress", in 1981 to "Azerneftyag". In 1994 on the basis of plant was founded "Azerneftyag" JV. Since March 2003 the enterprise is operating as Baku oil refinery plant "Azerneftyag".

The plan of restoration of oil production and processing sector in Azerbaijan, was approved by national leader Heydar Aliyev in the early 70s. It was due to his far-sighted and wise policy that the foundation for development and modernization of oil processing complex in Baku, has been established. Heydar Aliyev initiated the installation of ELOU - AVT - 6 plants for initial processing of oil at Azerneftyanacag oil processing plant. A device for hydro-purification of oil was built in 1981.

Two ELOU - AVT - 2 plants for initial processing of oil were built by American company Petrofac in 1994, and South Korean company Lucky Engineering in 1995.

Among the enterprise's successes during the last few years stands out the launching of a new bitumen plant, which end production meets the international standards, in October of 2000. Built by Austrian firm Perner's technology, the plant produces 250 thousand tons of bitumen annually.

With the purpose of maintenance of conformity to international standards the basis production of the enterprise - lubricant and motor oils were considered the full reconstruction, expansion and modernization of oil block.

The care about the people continues to remain as major task of social policy of "Azerneftyag" oil processing plant, having is more than the century history. 876 apartments by general area of 69 thousand sq. meters was built and handed to workers' instruction for the shortest time. There is extended all necessary assistance to the refugees and compelled immigrants, that taking place on care of the plant. Majors of them are provided by the appropriate work. The attention to improvement of material well being of "Azerneftyag" oil processing plant's workers more and more amplifies, at the current stage of economic development. On balance of the enterprise are a boarding house "Dalga" ("Wave") in Mardakan, Children's sanitary area "Umid" ("Hope") in Pirshagi, sports and others. There the enterprise's workers are able to have a rest charge free.