SOCAR advances intl partnerships with Shell, Uzbekneftegaz during Baku Energy Week PHOTO

The State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) held a series of high-level meetings in Baku on June 1 as part of Baku Energy Week, focusing on expanding international cooperation across the energy value chain.

SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf met with Walid Hadi, Executive Vice President of Shell, where both sides discussed potential collaboration in upstream, midstream and downstream operations, as well as joint initiatives in workforce development, research and innovation, and the deployment of artificial intelligence in energy systems, according to the company.

The discussions built on a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier the same day between the two companies, underscoring a shared interest in deepening cooperation both in Azerbaijan and in third-country projects. The meeting also highlighted the role of technological integration and digitalisation as emerging priorities in the global energy sector.

In a separate engagement, Najaf met with Abdugani Sanginov, Chairman of the Board of Uzbekneftegaz, to review the progress of bilateral energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the development of relations in line with the strategic directions set by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. They also emphasised the importance of Baku Energy Week as a regional platform for advancing dialogue on energy investment and partnerships.

The talks further referenced earlier engagement at the 28th International Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference of Uzbekistan (OGU-2026), as well as developments surrounding bp’s accession to the production sharing agreement for the exploration, development and production of the Ustyurt investment blocks.

Both SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz reviewed ongoing project activities and outlined prospects for future cooperation across upstream development and broader energy infrastructure initiatives, reaffirming their commitment to expanding long-term strategic collaboration.

By Aghakazim Guliyev