Sir Andrew Wood

Senior Advisor
ITE Group

Sir Andrew Wood served as a member of the British diplomatic service in: Moscow 1964-6, 1979-82 and 1995-2000 (the last as Ambassador); Washington DC, 1967-70 and 1989-92 (as Deputy Head of Mission); and Belgrade, 1975-9 and 1985-89 (as Ambassador).

Since leaving Moscow in early 2000 Sir Andrew has returned regularly to Uzbekistan, as well as to Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, acting on behalf of a number of Western companies. He is an Adviser to ITE Group plc, acted as Special Representative for BP from 2003 to 2014, was a Trustee for the Victor Zorza Hospice Trust from 2000 to 2012 when the Trust concluded its mission, and is the President of the King’s College (Cambridge) Association. He has been an Associate Fellow of Chatham House since 2008.

Andrew Wood was born in Gibraltar on 2 January 1940, and has an MA in history from King’s College, Cambridge (England). He is married to Stephanie (nee Masset). They have three children, and live in London and Jersey (Channel Islands).

Khoshbakht Yusifzade

First Vice-president
SOCAR

Academician of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and Turkic World Research International Academy of Sciences, foreign member of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia and the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Honorary Academician of the International Engineers Academy of Russia, Honorary Professor of the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industrial University, Doctor of Geological-Mineralogical Sciences, Professor Khoshbakht Yusifzadeh Baghi oglu was born on January 14th 1930 in Pirshaghi settlement of Baku. After secondary school in 1947, he graduated from the Azerbaijan Industrial Institute (now Azerbaijan State Oil and Industrial University) with degree in Geology and Exploration of Petroleum Reservoirs in 1952. He started his career in the Baku branch of USSR Oil Ministry’s “State Special Oil Project” Department, then in the “Azerdenizneft” (Azerbaijan Offshore Oil) Production Union and “Azneft” Onshore Oil Production Union, in 1954 he was appointed as a Senior Geologist at the first field of “Gurgan Oil” Oil Fields Department (now “Oil Rocks”). In 1970-1992 he worked as a Deputy Director/Senior Geologist at the “Khazardenizneft” (Caspian Offshore Oil) Production Union, “Khazardenizneftgaz” (Caspian Offshore Oil and Gas) Industrial Union and “Khazardenizneftgaz” (Caspian Offshore Oil and Gas) Production Union, in 1992-1994 as a first vice-president of the “Azerineft” State Concern and advisor to the President of SOCAR, in 1994-2004 as a Vice President of SOCAR for Geology, Geophysics and Reservoir Development. From 2004 he is the First Vice President of SOCAR.

In 1960 he defended Candidate’s Dissertation, in 1987 he defended Doctoral Dissertation in Moscow, in 2005 was awarded academic title of Professor, in 2007 was elected academician of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

Kh.Yusifzadeh is an author of more than 200 scientific works, including 18 monographs and 8 inventions.

For his contribution in the development of petroleum sector, Kh. Yusifzadeh was twice awarded the “Red Banner of Labor” (1963 and 1976), “Badge of Honor” (1971), has orders of “Istiglal” (2000), “Shohrat” (2004), “Sharaf” (2010) and “Order Labor of I degree” (2017) of independent Azerbaijan, order of “Friendship” (2011) of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Honorary Diploma of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic (2015) and has other valuable medals. He was twice rewarded the State Premium of Azerbaijan (1982 and 1991), he is “Honorary Engineer of Azerbaijan SSR” (1964) and “Honorary Engineer of Azerbaijan” (2005), “USSR Petroleum Industry’s Outstanding Oil Worker” (1967), “Honorary Oiler of the USSR” (1970), “Honorary Explorer of Underground Resources” (1965 and 1985), “First Field Discoverer” (1988). He was awarded International Gold Star Medal of Turkic World Research International Academy of Sciences and was announced as “Scientist of the Year” (2008) and “Honorary Scientist of Turkic World” (2011), “Order with crown” of the European Academy of Natural Sciences (2014), Medal and Honorary title of the “Knight of Art and Science” of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, ”Silver medal named after Academician Azad Mirzajanzade” (2015) of the same Academy, including other medals and honored certificates. In 2010, with a group of specialists of SOCAR was awarded UNESCO medal for his contribution in the field of development and application of nanotechnology in oil production, his name was included in the encyclopedia of this international organization.

In 2016 a special scholarship named after Academician Khoshbakht Yusifzadeh was established for excellent students of geology and exploration department of the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industrial University

Khoshbakht Yusifzade

First Vice-president
SOCAR

Academician of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and Turkic World Research International Academy of Sciences, foreign member of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia and the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Honorary Academician of the International Engineers Academy of Russia, Honorary Professor of the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industrial University, Doctor of Geological-Mineralogical Sciences, Professor Khoshbakht Yusifzadeh Baghi oglu was born on January 14th 1930 in Pirshaghi settlement of Baku. After secondary school in 1947, he graduated from the Azerbaijan Industrial Institute (now Azerbaijan State Oil and Industrial University) with degree in Geology and Exploration of Petroleum Reservoirs in 1952. He started his career in the Baku branch of USSR Oil Ministry’s “State Special Oil Project” Department, then in the “Azerdenizneft” (Azerbaijan Offshore Oil) Production Union and “Azneft” Onshore Oil Production Union, in 1954 he was appointed as a Senior Geologist at the first field of “Gurgan Oil” Oil Fields Department (now “Oil Rocks”). In 1970-1992 he worked as a Deputy Director/Senior Geologist at the “Khazardenizneft” (Caspian Offshore Oil) Production Union, “Khazardenizneftgaz” (Caspian Offshore Oil and Gas) Industrial Union and “Khazardenizneftgaz” (Caspian Offshore Oil and Gas) Production Union, in 1992-1994 as a first vice-president of the “Azerineft” State Concern and advisor to the President of SOCAR, in 1994-2004 as a Vice President of SOCAR for Geology, Geophysics and Reservoir Development. From 2004 he is the First Vice President of SOCAR.

In 1960 he defended Candidate’s Dissertation, in 1987 he defended Doctoral Dissertation in Moscow, in 2005 was awarded academic title of Professor, in 2007 was elected academician of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

Kh.Yusifzadeh is an author of more than 200 scientific works, including 18 monographs and 8 inventions.

For his contribution in the development of petroleum sector, Kh. Yusifzadeh was twice awarded the “Red Banner of Labor” (1963 and 1976), “Badge of Honor” (1971), has orders of “Istiglal” (2000), “Shohrat” (2004), “Sharaf” (2010) and “Order Labor of I degree” (2017) of independent Azerbaijan, order of “Friendship” (2011) of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Honorary Diploma of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic (2015) and has other valuable medals. He was twice rewarded the State Premium of Azerbaijan (1982 and 1991), he is “Honorary Engineer of Azerbaijan SSR” (1964) and “Honorary Engineer of Azerbaijan” (2005), “USSR Petroleum Industry’s Outstanding Oil Worker” (1967), “Honorary Oiler of the USSR” (1970), “Honorary Explorer of Underground Resources” (1965 and 1985), “First Field Discoverer” (1988). He was awarded International Gold Star Medal of Turkic World Research International Academy of Sciences and was announced as “Scientist of the Year” (2008) and “Honorary Scientist of Turkic World” (2011), “Order with crown” of the European Academy of Natural Sciences (2014), Medal and Honorary title of the “Knight of Art and Science” of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, ”Silver medal named after Academician Azad Mirzajanzade” (2015) of the same Academy, including other medals and honored certificates. In 2010, with a group of specialists of SOCAR was awarded UNESCO medal for his contribution in the field of development and application of nanotechnology in oil production, his name was included in the encyclopedia of this international organization.

In 2016 a special scholarship named after Academician Khoshbakht Yusifzadeh was established for excellent students of geology and exploration department of the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industrial University

Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli

Communications, external affairs, strategy & region Vice-President
BP Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey

Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli is BP’s Vice President for Communications & External Affairs, Strategy and Region covering Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.

Mr. Aslanbayli joined BP from PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2002 as a Tax Advisor. In his most recent role he was Regional Tax and Customs Manager for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.

In addition to professional activities, Mr. Aslanbayli is also a visiting lecturer of the Baku State University, ADA University and Baku Higher Oil School.  He is the author of one book and more than 50 professional articles and commentaries. He holds BA and MA in International Relations from the Baku State University.

Mr. Aslanbayli was awarded with Progress Medal by the President of Azerbaijan (2017) for contribution to the development of oil and gas industry in Azerbaijan.

Kurmangazy Iskaziyev

Deputy Chairman of the Management Board for Geology and Exploration
KAZMUNAYGAS

Educational background:

Graduated from the Oil Faculty of Kazakh Polytechnic Institute named after V.I. Lenin as a Mining and Geotechnical Engineer.

In 2006, graduated from the Tomsk Polytechnic University and was awarded a Ph.D. in Geology and Mineralogy.

Holder of the Al-Farabi State Science Award, Professor of the Hydrocarbon Systems Geology Faculty of the Russian State Oil and Gas University named after Gubkin, Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences (RANS).

Was awarded with the Kurmet Order, 20-Year Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Honorary Explorer of the Republic of Kazakhstan merit budges.

Employment History:

Started his career as an Operator of Balykshy Exploratory Drilling Office, after which worked as a Cementing Shop Operator of Embaneft Association. From 1991 to 1993 worked as a Geologist of Exploration Drilling No.1 at Balykshy Exploration Drilling Office.

Between 1993 and 1995 he was the II skill-category Geologist at Central Dispatch Office of Atyrau Drilling Office, Embamunaigas JSC. Between 1995 and 2004 worked as a Chief Geologist/Deputy Director at the Atyrau Production Enhancement and Wells Overhaul (EP&WO) Office; Director of Geology and Oil Deposits Development at Embamunaigas OJSC.  In 2004-2008, worked as a Deputy Director and was further promoted to a Director of Geology and Deposits Development at KazMunaiGas Exploration and Production JSC. From 2008 to 2015 was an Executive Director of Oil and Gas Production; Managing Director of Geology, Geophysics, and Reservoirs; Chief Geologist; Chief Geology and Promising Projects Officer; Managing Director for Non-Operating Assets (Tengiz, Kashagan, and Karachaganak); and Managing Director of Geology at JSC NC "KazMunayGas".

From January 2015 – General Director (Chief Executive Officer), Embamunaigas JSC.

From 23 September 2015 to 12 June 2018 – General Director (Chief Executive Officer), "KazMunayGas" Exploration and Production JSC.

Title of the speech: Exploration prospectivity of JSC NC «KazMunayGas».

Fakhraddin Ismayilov

Director
Oil and Gas Research and Design Institute Socar

Fakhraddin Ismayilov graduated from the Azerbaijan Institute of Oil and Chemistry named after M. Azizbayov in 1984, majoring in Mechanization of Oil and Gas Fields. He is a mining engineer by profession.

He embarked upon a career in 1984 as a senior laboratory assistant at the Institute of Problems of Deep Oil and Gas Deposits of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, and then worked as an engineer.

In 1985-2000, he began to work as an operator in "Oil Rocks" OGPD of “Caspianseaoilgas” Production Union, then as a deputy director in “28 May” OGPD, as a chief project engineer and group leader of the department of Offshore Oil and Gas Field Construction Design in “Gipromorneftegas” State Scientific Research and Design Institute (“Gipromorneftegas” DETLI).

In 2001-2003, he worked at the representative office of the Asia Central Trading Limited and SOCAR.

In 2006-2009, F.Ismayilov worked as a consultant to the president of SOCAR. Since July 24, 2009, he has been working as Director of the “Oil Gas Scientific Research Project” Institute, SOCAR.

By the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, No 1740 dated on 17.09.2011,  he was awarded the title “Honoured Engineer”.

Maxim Nedzvetskiy

General Director
Gazprom VNIIGAZ LLC

Maxim Nedzvetskiy was born in 1982 in Novy Urengoy. He graduated with honors from the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, majoring in Economics. He has a PhD in Economics and an MBA. He completed a professional retraining course at the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, specializing in Oil and Gas Production.

Maxim Nedzvetskiy has been part of Gazprom's team for 15 years.

From 2004 to 2007: Lead Economist, Sector Head, Division Head at NIIgazeconomika.

From 2007 to 2013: Deputy Head of the R&D and IP Effectiveness Analysis Division and then Deputy Head of the Science & Technology Complex Effectiveness Division under the Innovative Development Directorate of the Strategic Development Department, Gazprom.

From 2013 to 2018: Head of the Science & Technology Directorate of the Prospective Development Department and then Head of Directorate at Department, Gazprom.

From September 2018:  Deputy Head of Department, Gazprom. Director General, Gazprom VNIIGAZ, LLC.

Rafiga Huseyn-zade

Vice-president for ecology
SOCAR

Rafiga Huseynzade was born in Baku. She successfully entered to the Geological faculty of Azerbaijan Institute of Oil and Chemistry, where she studied Oil and Gas Fields Exploration subject. After graduation successfully passed examination and continued post graduation in the same Institute.

After seven years of challenging study of the “Low Kuryani” oil and gas field geo-chemical specs and characteristic’s subject Rafiga Huseynzada completed and honorably proved the subject in 1981 and deserved Government Commission endorsement in 1982.

From 1978 to 1985 she was an engineer in Azerbaijan Institute of Oil and Chemistry. In 1985 -1999 years she held various positions such as scientist, senior scientist and lab supervisor in the department of Isotopes Researches of Azerbaijan State University.

From 1999 to March 2011 she worked as Director of AzLab LLC established by State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic.

She continued also her scientific works from 2001 until present in Azerbaijan State University. Rafiga Huseynzada is author of about 60 reports and researches. She also participated in number International conferences and worked in joint scientific centers in Texaco Company in Houston; Geolab in Trondheim and Statoil Research Center in Norway;  Bone & Robertson management course in London UK, etc.  

In March 2011 Rafiga Huseynzade was appointed by order of President of Azerbaijan Republic to position of   Vice President on Ecology of SOCAR.

She is married and has one daughter.

She speaks Russian, English and Turkish languages.

Novruz Guliyev

Deputy Minister
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Republic

Mattew Bryza

CEO
Lamor Corporation

Ambassador Matthew Bryza is a member of the Board of Lamor Ab, the world’s leading oil spill response company, and CEO of Lamor Turkey in Istanbul. He is also a non-executive director of Turcas, a diversified energy company and one of Turkey’s largest corporations.   Bryza additionally  serves on the Board of an upstream energy companies in the UK, is a founding partner of a cyber security firm in Turkey, and a member of a high-level investment team developing exports of U.S. liquid natural gas to the Baltic Sea region. Ambassador Bryza is a member of the International Advisory Board of the International Center for Defence and Security in Tallinn, and served as the Center’s Director from 2012- 2015. He is also a Non- Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and a Board member of the Jamestown Foundation, both of which are think-tanks in Washington, DC.Ambassador Bryza served for 23 years as a U.S. diplomat. His most recent assignment was as Ambassador to Azerbaijan from Februar y 2011 to January 2012.  During 2005 to 2009, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, with responsibility for Eurasian energy security, the South Caucasus, Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus. He simultaneously served as the U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE’s Minsk Group mediating  the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan), and as U.S. mediator of the Cyprus Question and the South Ossetia and Abkhazia conflicts (in Georgia). During 2001 to 2005, Ambassador Bryza served in the White House as Director for European and Eurasian Affairs on the National Security Council Staff, covering the same areas as mentioned above, along with Islamist extremism. Earlier assignments at the State Department included Deputy Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State on Caspian Energy; Advisor on Economic Reform in the South Caucasus and Central Asia; Russia Desk Officer; and Political Officer at the U.S. Missions to Russia (1995-97) and Poland (1989-91). Matthew Bryza holds a bachelor ’s degree from Stanford
University and a master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, both in international relations.

Emil Nasirov

HSE Coordinator
Joint Operating Company Absheron Petroleum (JOCAP)

Background in Production Technology and Industrial Environmental Protection. 12 years of experience in the industry.

Worked in BP from 2007 to 2014 as Operations Environmental & HSE Compliance Advisor. Starting from 2014 HSE Engineer in TOTAL E&P Absheron, overseeing the development studies and preparation for drilling programme. Recently moved to JOCAP HSE Coordinator role as a member of joint TOTAL/JOCAP HSE team, responsible for integration of activities across several HSE teams working on Absheron field development project. 

Bahram Huseynov

Vice-President for Geology and Geophysics
SOCAR

Bahram Bahlul oglu Huseynov graduated from Azerbaijan Oil and Chemistry Institute, faculty of  geophysical methods of field exploration and  appraisal in 1983. Since January 1983, worked in the position of field geologist and senior geologist at the Gum Island Offshore Drilling Department, in 1988 was transferred to the position of senior geologist in oil and gas exploration in head office of “Caspian offshore Oil and Gas” division, from 1992 to 1993 he worked as a deputy head of geological department. In 1993-1994, participated in a joint project of Amoco Research Center in Tulsa, US. By return, he continued working in “Caspian offshore Oil and Gas” division. In May 1995, joined Azerbaijan International Operating Company as an advisor of vice president and in June 1997 started working as a senior geologist at the geology department. In June 1998, he became manager of subsurface exploration group in BP-operated Shah Deniz project. From March 2000 to December 2002, was on the   business trip in BP London office in the position of subsurface team leader (TL) for the 2nd and 3rd phases of Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) development planning project. From December 2002 to January 2011, was the head of subsurface operation group TL of ACG project, new well planning TL, base management TL and new well delivery TL in “Azeri” field. In 2009, awarded “Tereqqi” Medal by the Order issued by the   President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Since January 2011, moved to the position of deputy first vice president on Geology and geophysics of SOCAR. According to the Order issued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on April 18, 2016, Bahram Huseynov was appointed to the position of vice-president on Geology and geophysics of SOCAR. He is a member of New Azerbaijan Party.

Gregory W. Riley

Exploration Vice-President
BP Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey

Dr. Gregory W. Riley is Exploration Vice President in BP Azerbaijan. Dr. Riley graduated from Southern Illinois University with degrees in Geology and Zoology, and an M.Sc. in Geology. He completed a Ph.D. in Geology at Louisiana State University. 

Dr. Riley joined BP in 1991 and began his career in Africa and the Middle East.  Since 1994 Dr. Riley has worked in the Caspian region in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan as an exploration geologist, appraisal geologist and Exploration Manager.

Tore Loseth

Senior Vice-President Exploration
Equinor ASA

Tore Morten Løseth is a Norwegian citizen. Mr. Løseth holds a PhD in geoscience from the University of Bergen. Currently Mr. Løseth holds the position as Senior Vice President for Exploration International Onshore. He is located in Oslo, Norway.

Mr. Løseth has 17 years’ experience in the oil industry, within research, production and exploration. This includes extensive experience from the NCS, Mexico and USA. He has thereafter held several exploration management positions in Statoil/Equinor.

• Experience: 17 years in petroleum industry
• Education: PhD in (Regressive to transgressive shoreline tongues – sedimentology, architecture and significance for basin-floor massflow deposits) from University of Bergen.

Ali Gurbanov

General Director
Umid Babek Operating Company (UBOC)

Ali Gurbanov heads the Branch of “Umid Babek Operating Company” (UBOC) in the Republic of Azerbaijan registered in 2017. UBOC engages in oil and gas projects on exploration and development of Umid field and Babek structure in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. In April 2019, UBOC put the first high profitable gas-condensate well in SOCAR’s history into operation at Oil Platform №1 of Umid field. Currently, UBOC implements the projects for design and construction of Umid-2 and Babek-1 platforms, subsea pipelines and new Dashgil terminal. UBOC’s established structure successfully fulfills exploration and development projects, operations and drilling processes in compliance with international standards.

Andrea Cattaneo

President & CEO
Zenith Energy

Mr. Cattaneo is an oilman and government advisor with specific expertise in former Soviet Union countries.  Mr. Cattaneo serves as CEO of Zenith Energy Ltd., a Canadian oil & gas international production company with a number of natural gas producing concessions in Italy and the operatorship of the largest onshore oilfield in Azerbaijan.

Rufat Mammadbayli

Drilling Advisor
SOCAR AQS

Born in Baku, Rufat Mammadbayli is an internationally recognized Drilling & Completions Specialist. With a little over 20 years in the industry Rufat has worked in various engineering, advisory and managerial roles across the world and led planning and execution of wells projects on land, offshore from platforms and MODUs and Drillships in deepwater operations. He’s been particularly distinguished in complex well planning and operations including Extended Reach Drilling, HPHT and Fractured Carbonates wells. Recently he’s become an incumbent Drilling Advisor with SOCAR AQS and helped organize and project manages a number of projects for the company.

James Hogan

Managing Partner
Dentons

James E. Hogan is the managing partner of the Baku office of the international law firm Dentons.

Active in international practice since 1984, Mr. Hogan has concentrated exclusively on corporate, commercial and natural resource matters relating to the CIS and Eastern Europe since 1988. He is particularly active in structuring, negotiating and implementing petroleum, mining and other natural resource projects in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine and elsewhere in the CIS. His experience includes providing advice on PSAs, service agreements, concessions, oil-field service and drilling contracts, licensing, pipeline and marine transportation issues, including the sale and transportation of LNG. 

He has advised major international companies on investment strategies, the establishment of joint ventures and cooperation structures, project finance, infrastructure development, privatization, licensing and related tax, currency, customs, environmental, governance and other matters. He also frequently advises financial institutions, development banks and investment funds in the areas of investment and secured lending.

Mr. Hogan graduated from the University of Michigan (A.B. with distinction, in Russian and East European Studies, 1979), the Pushkin Institute, Moscow (1980 1981) and the University of Texas (J.D., with honors, 1984). He was admitted to the District of Columbia bar in 1984, qualified to practice in France as conseil juridique in 1991 and became a member of the Paris bar in 1992. Mr. Hogan speaks English, French and Russian.

He has published numerous articles on foreign investment and energy in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine and is a frequent speaker at international conferences. Mr. Hogan is a Member of the Boards of the International Tax & Investment Center (ITIC) and La Chambre de commerce France-Azerbaïdjan (CCFAz ) and is listed in Chambers Global, Legal 500 (Hall of Fame), Who’s Who Legal – Energy  and Who’s Who Legal-CIS, as well as Best Lawyers-Azerbaijan.

Yashar Latifov

Vice-President for Field Development
SOCAR

Yashar Latifov was born in Baku on June 16, 1965. In 1987 graduated from Moscow Oil and Gas Institute named after Gubkin, majoring on technology and complex mechanization of oil and gas field development. Started his career in Baku in the position of operator and then foreman at the oil production site No.2 of “Binagadi” Oil and Gas Production Division of “Azneft”. Since 1989 held various long-term international project assignments in Vietnam, Russia, UK, Turkey. Since 2012 served in the capacity of advisor to SOCAR President, and Executive Director of SOCAR Upstream LLC., responsible for management of SOCAR’s interest in Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli and Shah-Deniz assets. According to the Order issued by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on April 18, 2016, Yashar Latifov was appointed to the office of SOCAR Vice President for Field Development.

Nurrunajwa Mohd Aras

Country Head
PETRONAS Azerbaijan

Nurrunajwa Mohd Aras, graduated in Bachelor of Sciences in Electrical Engineering from University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.

Najwa started her career with PETRONAS back in 1997 and have held several management positions prior to her appointment as the Country Head of Azerbaijan. Her experiences span across Portfolio Management, Planning, Technical Services, Operations Performance Improvement, Joint Venture Management and Petroleum Resource Development as well as information Technology.

She began her career as a System Engineer at Dayabumi Kuala Lumpur. She then moved to Peninsular Malaysia Operations (PMO), Terengganu in 1998 and held few positions, such as Information Technology Executive, Electrical Engineer and Joint Venture Engineer.

In 2006, she was moved to Kuala Lumpur and further expanded her portfolio by venturing into Portfolio Management, and Petroleum Resource Development of Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM) before her appointment as Upstream Head Business Planning Performance Improvement (BPPI), in April 2016.

Her vast knowledge on the overall Upstream portfolio has led her to be entrusted to lead Upstream BPPI which covers end-to-end Upstream Business Planing & Performance Improvement.

Najwa is a dynamic person with a strong belief and passion in integrating people and delivering better results through shared success as well as challenging the status quo.

Mahmoud Kassem

Vice-President for Oil Field Service Business, Russia & Caspian region
Baker Hughes, a GE company

Mahmoud Kassem is the Russia-Caspian region Vice President for Oil Field Service business. He is responsible for driving growth, strategic market penetration to gain markets share in the region.

Prior to this role, Tommy was Vice President of Integration for Global Operations, responsible for executing BHGE’s integration goals and objectives, including capturing revenue and cost synergies, harmonizing processes, and building the company culture.

Previously, Tommy held the role of Executive Vice President for Drilling & Surface in GE O&G, where he was responsible for driving growth and strategic market penetration for the upstream Oil & Gas product lines which included Pressure Control, Down-hole Technologies, Drilling systems and Artificial Lift Platforms for the MENAT region.

He joined GE in May 2009 as the Middle East Operation Director for TMS Global Services in GE O&G HQ in Qatar. He managed both the Contractual Services business and Transactional business for the ME region. He was then appointed as Growth, Innovation & Competitive Marketing Manager based in Atlanta, USA, where he was responsible for the delivery of in-depth strategic studies, competitive analysis and competitive landscape covering both Energy and Oil & Gas.

Tommy started his career in the Baker Hughes Wireline Services business, where he spent 14 years. He served as the Baker Hughes Geomarket Sales Director in Libya following a role as General Manager for the Baker Hughes Atlas division in Tripoli, Libya. He also covered technical, sales, and operations positions in North America, Europe, and Africa with Baker Hughes.

Tommy is a 25-year veteran of the Oil & Gas industry, He graduated from Cairo University, Egypt, where he received a B.Sc, degree in Mechanical Power Engineering and holds an Executive MBA from the Bocconi Business School in Milan, Italy.

Sevda Javadova

Upstream Business Interface Manager
SOCAR

Christopher Bush

Vice-President Commercial; Europe, Africa, Russia and Caspian
McDermott

Christopher has worked in the oil and gas industry for over thirty years and has extensive EPCI experience and international exposure across the globe. His experience encompasses a number of project leadership, senior commercial management and executive positions for Major EPC Contractors and Fabricators in the industry. Prior to joining McDermott this year he was Chief Operating Officer for a Middle East based Fabrication Company.

In his current role Christopher is the Vice President of Commercial Offshore, for the Europe, Africa, Russia and Caspian region. As part of this role Christopher is responsible for driving offshore operations and growing McDermott’s presence across the region.

Alessandro D’Angelo

Commercial Senior Director for the Caspian Region
Tenaris

Industrial Engineer with Executive Education at IMD Business School and Boston University.

Multinational career in Tenaris:

• Managing Director – Caspian Region, Baku, Sep 2018 – ongoing
• Commercial Director - Iran, Dubai, 2016 – 2018
• Regional Manager – Equatorial Africa, Accra, 2014 –2016
• Strategic Planning Manager Eastern Hemisphere (EH), Dubai, 2011- 2014
• Marketing Manager North East Asia, Beijing, 2008- 2011
• Marketing Manager Europe, Milan, 2005-2008

Title of Speech:        Smart Solutions - Rig Direct: Reshaping tubulars supply for Upstream industry 

Ali Nagiyev

Director
SPE Azerbaijan

Ali Naghiyev is a Petroleum Engineer by background with more than 10 years working experience in the industry. He holds BSc., MSC., and PhD degrees in Petroleum Engineering from Azerbaijan State Oil Academy and another MSc. degree in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. 

Ali started his professional career with Karasu Operating Company in 2004. After 3 years of working for Karasu he has move to Edinburgh in Scotland to pursue his 2^nd MSc. degree. Later in 2008 after the graduation Ali joined SOCAR where he has spent almost a year working in Oil and Gas Research Institute before moving to BP. During his tenure in BP from 2009 until 2017 Ali had a chance to work in different technical and business areas like Well Integrity and Interventions, Base Management, Functional Performance Management and Well Management and System Optimization.

In parallel to his career in BP in 2012 Ali has joined SPE Azerbaijan in capacity of a Section Chairman and later changing his role to the Director of the section. Since then he has continuously contributed to the development of local technical capability and especially education in the country.

Recently Ali has joined Baku State University in the capacity of the Advisor to the Rector for Strategic Development and Communications.

Shahriyar Alkhasli

Lead Researcher
Khazar University eiLink R&D Center

Shahriyar is a graduate of Azerbaijan State Oil Academy and holds a MS degree in Petroleum Engineering from University of Tulsa, USA. Currently he is doing his PhD in Petroleum Engineering at Khazar University. With extensive work and research experience in various petroleum engineering fields, he applies his technical and programming skills in leading eiLink R&D projects. Particularly his research is concentrated in: Modeling of sub-seismic features and dynamic simulation; Stochastic optimization for assisted history matching Computational Fluid Dynamics – LBM; Deep Learning.

Yashar Latifov

Vice-President for Field Development
SOCAR

Yashar Latifov was born in Baku on June 16, 1965. In 1987 graduated from Moscow Oil and Gas Institute named after Gubkin, majoring on technology and complex mechanization of oil and gas field development. Started his career in Baku in the position of operator and then foreman at the oil production site No.2 of “Binagadi” Oil and Gas Production Division of “Azneft”. Since 1989 held various long-term international project assignments in Vietnam, Russia, UK, Turkey. Since 2012 served in the capacity of advisor to SOCAR President, and Executive Director of SOCAR Upstream LLC., responsible for management of SOCAR’s interest in Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli and Shah-Deniz assets. According to the Order issued by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on April 18, 2016, Yashar Latifov was appointed to the office of SOCAR Vice President for Field Development.

Blaz Golob

Futurologist
President of European Blockchain Hub & CEO of GoForeSight

Mr. Blaž Golob is a chairman of GFS institute based in Ljubljana, Slovenia and CEO of the European Blockchain Hub with 19 nodes in Europe and Asia. As a digital entrepreneur and former employee of the European Commission’s think-tank on future trends, he is involved in co-creation of new concepts and business models, supported by new emerging technologies. He advises cities, governments and different companies on future trends and digital transformation.

As a member of the EU Strategic Policy Forum on Digital Entrepreneurship and chairman of Ljubljana Forum on Future of Cities, he influenced digital transformation of cities. He is an author of the Smart City concept composed by five pillars amongst them energy. He is a co-founder of Foresight Europe Network – FEN, founded in Paris in 2014 and an active member of the Millennium Project, leading global futures studies think-tank with 56 nodes worldwide.

During the accession of Slovenia to the EU between 1997 and 2001, he served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Head of the Cabinet at the Ministry of Science and Technology. Between 2001 and 2004 he worked for the European Commission IPTS Institute in Seville. During the Slovenian Presidency of the EU in 2008, he was appointed as a founding director of the Center for eGovernance Development CeGD for South East Europe.

He studied at University of Ljubljana and Cambridge University. He is maried and has a daughter and a son.