Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

The international scientific-practical conference “Khoshbaxt Yusifzade’s Recitations” titled “Oil-and-Gas Content and Geoecological Problems of the Caspian Region” was held on December 4. It was dedicated to the memory of the prominent oil geologist, laureate of the “Heydar Aliyev Award”, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, professor, and active member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Khoshbaxt Yusifzade and organized by the Oil and Gas Institute of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and sponsored by SOCAR and BP companies.

The event was attended by the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, the Vice-President of ANAS, Academician Ibrahim Guliyev, scientists from the Earth Sciences Division of ANAS, the General Director of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Akif Alizade, the General Director of the Oil and Gas Institute of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Academician Fakhraddin Gadirov, the Vice-President of SOCAR, Arzu Javadova, the Vice-President of BP for the Caspian Region, Bakhtiyar Aslanbeyli, the Acting Rector of Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Vazeh Askerov, Member of Parliament Ziyad Samadzade, employees of the Oil and Gas Institute and SOCAR, as well as scientists from Russia, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Israel, and Ukraine.

The conference began with the performance of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The event was opened with a welcoming speech by Academician Fakhraddin Gadirov, General Director of the Oil and Gas Institute of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Director said that Academician Khoshbaxt Yusifzade was a prominent oil geologist who wrote brilliant chapters in Azerbaijan’s oil industry. Academician Khoshbaxt Yusifzade led exploration and research activities in the Caspian Sea for many years, during which more than 20 oil and gas fields, including the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli fields, were discovered and brought into operation under his direct participation. The discovery of these fields and their hydrocarbon reserves have played a significant role in economic security system of Azerbaijan.

He also highlighted that Khoshbaxt Yusifzade is renowned for his fundamental research in solving actual problems of the oil and gas industry, advancing oil and gas production, and improving geophysical exploration methods.

Then, Academician Akif Alizade, General Director of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan shared his memories of the prominent oil geologist Khoshbaxt Yusifzade. Khoshbaxt Yusifzade who perfectly new the Caspian Sea’s seabed, confidently presented a report on Azerbaijan’s oil reserves to Alexei Kosygin, the head of the Soviet government at the time, drawing the attention of the Soviet leadership to this matter. Khoshbaxt Yusifzade’s life serves as an example for young professionals. 

At the conference, the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli greeted the participants on behalf of the Academy. He said that Academician Khoshbaxt Yusifzade, full member of ANAS, was one of the distinguished individuals who have elevated the title of academician and intellectual. Khoshbaxt Yusifzade, with his profound knowledge in geology and the Caspian Sea, breathed life into Azerbaijan’s oil industry through his comprehensive research, broad worldview, and discoveries.

It was highlighted that during the Soviet period and the years of independence, by embracing both the oil policy and the statehood school by the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, a professional oil geologist made significant contributions to implementing Azerbaijan’s oil strategy founded by the Great Leader. Khoshbaxt Yusifzade, who had extensive knowledge and experience, played a special role in the signing and implementation of the “Contract of the Century” under the guidance of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev. During the years of independence, Khoshbaxt Yusifzade became a guide of oil policy of President Ilham Aliyev and played a special role in the discovery and development of Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli, and Shahdeniz fields, which increased the economic strength of our state. 

The President of ANAS noted that the prominent scientist Khoshbaxt Yusifzade also established the Azerbaijani oil science school through his professional scientific research.

It was also mentioned that Khoshbaxt Yusifzade also contributed to Azerbaijani humanities and social sciences. Thanks to his support, the book “Anecdotes of Molla Nasreddin’ was published by the Academy.

The head of ANAS, sharing his memories of Khoshbaxt Yusifzade, mentioned that the oil scientist was also a lover of literature. He recalled witnessing the distinguished academician reciting Samad Vurgun’s drama “Vagif” by heart. 

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that significant steps were taken by the state during Khoshbaxt Yusifzade’s lifetime to immortalize his name. The prominent oil scientist’s name was given to Secondary School No. 112 and the tanker “Academician Khoshbaxt Yusifzade”, built at the Baku Shipyard. President Ilham Aliyev participated in the launch ceremony of the tanker and this high aprreciation by the head of state was given not only to Khoshbaxt Yusifzade but also to Azerbaijani intellectuals and scholars as a whole.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that the legendary oil scientist Khoshbaxt Yusifzade’s  ideas would forever live in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people.

At the conference, SOCAR Vice President Arzu Javadova, BP Vice President for the Caspian Region Bakhtiyar Aslanbeyli, Member of Parliament Ziyad Samadzade, Acting Rector of the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University Vazeh Askerov, and Professor Bakhshillo Akramov from the Tashkent branch of the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas shared their memories of Academician Khoshbaxt Yusifzade. They emphasized significant contributions of his research to enriching Azerbaijan’s oil strategy.

Following the speeches, a video reflecting the life and work of Academician Khoshbaxt Yusifzade was shown.

After the plenary session, the event continued with the presentation of reports.

It should be noted that within the conference, a modeling school will be organized by the Oil and Gas Institute of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State University of Geological Prospecting. The school will feature a training course titled “Modeling of Geological Processes and Hydrocarbon Systems”. In total, more than 80 reports will be presented at the conference.

The event will conclude its work on December 5.

Reyhan Majidli, Public Relations, Press and Information Department of the Presidium Administration of ANAS

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