SOCAR pioneers AI, drone technology to boost energy efficiency, emission monitoring

Deputy Vice President of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) Teymur Guliyev has said that SOCAR initiated a cutting-edge energy efficiency programme leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) at its carbamide plant in the Absheron region.

Guliyev made these remarks during a public hearing at the Azerbaijani parliament’s Committee for Natural Resources, Energy and Ecology, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The programme, currently in its pilot phase, aims to improve energy efficiency at the plant. Once successfully tested and adapted, the AI-driven technology is set to be expanded to other SOCAR facilities across the country.

In addition to the AI-driven energy efficiency initiative, Guliyev also highlighted that SOCAR also launched a groundbreaking approach to measuring emissions by incorporating drone and satellite technology. 

He explained that traditional emission measurement methods on offshore oil and gas platforms, as well as along extensive pipeline networks, were not only inefficient but also presented logistical challenges when using handheld instruments.

Guliyev stated, "The integration of drones and satellite technologies makes the process significantly easier and more cost-effective." 

Located within the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park, SOCAR’s carbamide plant has been operational since January 16, 2019. It processes an impressive 435 million cubic meters of natural gas each year and produces approximately 650,000 to 660,000 tons of carbamide annually. Notably, around 70 per cent of the plant's production is exported to international markets. 

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) is Azerbaijan's state-owned oil and gas company, established in 1992. It is responsible for the exploration, production, and distribution of oil and natural gas in Azerbaijan and internationally. SOCAR operates in various sectors, including upstream (exploration and production), downstream (refining and distribution), and petrochemical industries. 

The company plays a crucial role in the country's economy, contributing significantly to Azerbaijan's GDP through its oil and gas exports. SOCAR is also known for its investment in energy infrastructure, both domestically and abroad, and its efforts to modernise its operations with advanced technologies, such as AI-driven energy efficiency initiatives.

With a large network of refineries, pipelines, and chemical plants, SOCAR is a key player in the global energy market, focusing on sustainable practices while strengthening its presence in international markets.

By Naila Huseynova