BP today signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Baku with the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) to help build academic capability and knowledge through a number of projects. The projects are aimed at supporting the next generation of geoscientists in developing their skills in-country and in sustainably enhancing Azerbaijan’s world-class industry capability.
As part of the Memorandum of Understanding BP and ANAS have agreed to establish a basin modelling project in order to improve understanding of Azerbaijan’s nearshore and onshore hydrocarbon potential. The project will also provide research activity and technical expertise that could seed the development of an in-country Petroleum Geology MSc and associated academic faculty.
In addition, there will be a BP-sponsored summer geology field course for students aided by leading global experts in sedimentology and structural geology. During this time BP will support the Academy in working with an international education partner to conduct a needs assessment for a potential Petroleum Geology MSc programme and long-term development of a self-sustaining Geosciences faculty operating to international academic and ethical standards.
The project will continue for one year and include the launch of a new basin modelling group using leading Azerbaijan expertise in key geoscience disciplines and based at the Institute of Geology of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. The group will use existing well and seismic data from the nearshore and onshore Absheron peninsula to create an integrated basin model for the area.
BP intends to fund up to $550,000 USD to be used to finance the joint basin model project which shall include software and hardware, fees for project consultants and staff, training and other relevant activities. ANAS will provide local specialists for the project.
“Over the years, we have undertaken educational investment projects both with our partners and in our own right,” says Bill Schrader, BP Azerbaijan President. “The Oil and Gas Graduate Scholarship Programme supported by BP and our partners since 2001, has provided scholarships for more than thirty Azerbaijani citizens to pursue Master Studies in Geology, Geophysics, Petroleum and Reservoir Engineering in some of the world’s leading universities. This, together with other initiatives seeks to promote economic and social development by providing opportunities for bright young Azerbaijanis to contribute to the prosperity and sustainable development of their country. And as we move forward, we would like to see more of those opportunities, where possible, provided in Azerbaijan itself.”
Tamam Bayatly, BP Baku Press office, telephone: 994 (0) 12 599 4557