Azerbaijan showcases oil legacy to Somali president during Sangachal terminal tour

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, currently on an official visit to Azerbaijan, toured the Sangachal oil terminal, one of the key hubs in the country’s oil and gas industry.

The visit, which included a detailed overview of Azerbaijan's oil history, highlighted the strategic importance of the terminal to both the nation and the broader region, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The visit began at the Caspian Energy Centre, a unique facility opened by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in 2005. The Centre offers a comprehensive history of Azerbaijan’s oil and gas industry, which has played a pivotal role in the country’s economic development and national identity.

During the tour, the Somali president was briefed on the more than 150-year history of Azerbaijan's oil industry. Notably, the world’s first-ever mechanically drilled oil well was established in 1847 in Bibi-Heybat, and by the 19th century, Azerbaijan was responsible for half of the world’s oil production.

The President and his delegation were shown samples of oil extracted from various fields and were also presented with a video detailing Azerbaijan's oil history and the significant Southern Gas Corridor project, which plays a critical role in the region’s energy future.

Following the introduction at the Caspian Energy Centre, the delegation visited the Sangachal Oil Terminal, which serves as the "beating heart" of Azerbaijan’s oil and gas operations. Since its construction launched in 2001, the terminal has been a crucial infrastructure for receiving, processing, storing, and exporting crude oil and gas from Azerbaijan’s Caspian Sea fields. With a daily capacity of over 1.2 million barrels of crude oil and 40 million cubic metres of gas, the terminal is integral to Azerbaijan’s role as a vital energy hub at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

The delegation was also briefed on major infrastructure projects underway at the terminal, including the Shah Deniz-2 and South Caucasus Gas Pipeline expansion, which further solidify Azerbaijan’s position as a key energy supplier to Europe.

As part of the visit, the Somali President was presented with keepsakes and later toured the terminal's extensive facilities, where he was provided with detailed information about the technological processes involved in the terminal’s operations.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, was received by President Ilham Aliyev on February 12. The sides made press statements and held productive meetings during which bilateral documents were also signed. 

By Vafa Guliyeva