Director
Member of the Scientific and Technical Council
Phil
Maxwell is a highly qualified executive leader and strategic advisor with
nearly 50 years of international professional experience in the oil and gas
industry.
Member of the Scientific and Technical Council
Khaligverdi Guseynov received his education at the Azerbaijan State Agrarian University, specializing in Plant Protection, and has extensive long-term experience in management.
Member of the Scientific and Technical Council
Shahmar Guseynov has over 30 years of experience in strategic and operational management in the oil and gas industry. He began his career in 1991 at the Leninneft Oil and Gas Production Department and subsequently...
Read MoreMember of the Scientific and Technical Council
Ilham
Babayev studied at the Faculty of Geology of Azerbaijan State University from
1974 to 1982, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Geology. He later
deepened his expertise in management by obtaining an MBA (Master’s degree).
Member of the Scientific and Technical Council
Elmir Garagozov obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering Geology from Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University and completed his Master’s degree in a specialization covering the ...
Read MoreMember of the Scientific and Technical Council
Azad Majidov graduated from the Faculty of Geology and Geography of Baku State University and holds certifications in industrial technical safety regulations. He ensures...
Read More Member of the Scientific and Technical Council
Khaligverdi Guseynov received his education at the
Azerbaijan State Agrarian University, specializing in Plant Protection, and has
extensive long-term experience in management.
He ensures the efficient management of the company’s
day-to-day operations, oversees project implementation, and plays a key role in
the development of strategic decisions. He is also distinguished by his high
level of professionalism in management and team leadership.
He makes a significant contribution to achieving the
company’s objectives through optimal resource management and effective
coordination of operations.
Member of the Scientific and Technical Council
Shahmar Guseynov has over 30 years of experience in
strategic and operational management in the oil and gas industry. He began his
career in 1991 at the Leninneft Oil and Gas Production Department and
subsequently held senior management positions at Balakhanineft, Siyazaneft,
H.Z. Taghiyev named, and Absheronneft Oil and Gas Production Departments.
From 2019 to 2024, he served as Director General of Azneft
Production Union and later as Advisor to the President of SOCAR, where he led
and implemented key projects focused on production optimization, safety, and
the improvement of environmental standards.
Currently, he manages private consulting activities in the
oil and gas sector and leads our team in the automation of production
processes, efficient resource utilization, and the application of innovative
approaches.
Distinguished by his scientific achievements, Shahmar
Huseynov earned a PhD in Engineering Sciences in 2018 and is the author of
numerous scientific publications and patents. He is an Honorary Doctor of
Istanbul Gedik University and a full member of the Ukrainian Academy of
Technology.
For his professional achievements, he has been awarded the
“Taraggi” Medal and the honorary title of “Honored Engineer” by the President
of the Republic of Azerbaijan and holds patents aimed at increasing production
efficiency.
Member of the Scientific and Technical Council
Azad Majidov graduated from the Faculty of Geology and
Geography of Baku State University and holds certifications in industrial
technical safety regulations. He ensures that the company’s operations are
conducted in full compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards
and has extensive experience in occupational health and safety as well as risk
management.
He is also well recognized for his effective approaches to
management and team coordination. Azad Majidov is fluent in Azerbaijani and
Russian and plays a key role in optimizing operations and maintaining high
standards to achieve the company’s strategic objectives.
Member of the Scientific and Technical Council
Elmir Garagozov obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum
Engineering Geology from Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University and
completed his Master’s degree in a specialization covering the evaluation and
efficient development of offshore fields. He later defended his dissertation at
the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences on geological and mathematical
methods for the development of residual oil reserves, earning a PhD in Earth
Sciences.
He is currently pursuing doctoral research focused on
efficient methods for hydrocarbon resource development under geological and
technological risk conditions.
He began his career in 2005 at the Bibiheybat Oil and Gas
Production Department as an oil and gas production operator. In subsequent
years, he held senior and managerial positions at the 28 May Oil and Gas
Production Department, Azneft Production Union, and SOCAR, where he was
involved in reservoir geology, field development, and the preparation of plans
to maintain and increase production sustainability, as well as new oil and gas
exploration initiatives.
Elmir Garagozov has extensive experience in oil and gas
field management, including field evaluation, determination of production
potential, field commissioning, development of production enhancement programs,
and exploration of new fields.
In parallel, he is actively involved in academic activities,
teaching Master’s-level courses in oil and gas field geology, development, and
production, and supervising scientific research.
He is fluent in Azerbaijani, Russian, and English, and has a
good command of Turkish. He is distinguished by strong teamwork, leadership and
management skills, effective communication, adaptability, and holds patents
aimed at increasing production efficiency.
Member of the Scientific and Technical Council
Ilham Babayev studied at the Faculty of Geology of
Azerbaijan State University from 1974 to 1982, earning a Bachelor’s degree in
Engineering Geology. He later deepened his expertise in management by obtaining
an MBA (Master’s degree).
With over 45 years of professional experience, Ilham Babayev
possesses extensive and multifaceted expertise in both technical and strategic
management within the oil and gas industry. Throughout his career, he has led
the successful drilling and commissioning of more than 435 onshore and offshore
oil and gas wells and has effectively managed large-scale projects involving
workforces of up to 1,000 personnel.
During his professional career, he has conducted high-level
cooperation and negotiations with SOCAR, international oil companies, and
government authorities, and has successfully led numerous high-budget projects
in Azerbaijan and Georgia. He has made significant contributions to the
implementation of HSE standards, integration of new technologies into
production, and management of rehabilitation and development projects for
onshore oil and gas fields.
Ilham Babayev has held senior positions including General
Director at Gulf Drilling Supply FZE, Executive Director at Caspian Technology
Supply, field manager and regional director in several joint operating
companies, as well as Chief Engineer, Chief Geologist, and Deputy Head of
Department within SOCAR.
He is a native speaker of Azerbaijani, fluent in Russian,
and has a good command of English and Turkish. He has received numerous awards
and completed advanced training programs in leadership, strategic management,
and project management.
Member of the Scientific and Technical Council
Phil Maxwell is a highly qualified executive leader and
strategic advisor with nearly 50 years of international professional experience
in the oil and gas industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) degree
in Physics from the University of Southampton and has held senior executive
positions with leading oil and gas companies across Europe, the Middle East,
Africa, and the Caspian region.
Phil Maxwell currently serves as Director of Springwell
Petroleum Limited and, in parallel, acts as an oil and gas advisor at GeoPetrol
International, providing support to shareholders and senior management in the
evaluation and management of exploration and production assets.
Throughout his career, he has held key leadership roles
including Director and Chief Executive Officer at Dove Energy Group Limited,
member of the executive leadership team at Dubai Petroleum Establishment, Vice
President of Operations at Caspian Energy Group, and senior management
positions at global energy majors such as Amerada Hess, RAMCO Energy, Pennzoil,
and British Petroleum (BP).
Phil Maxwell’s professional expertise primarily covers:
Oil and gas field exploration and development;
Establishment and management of PSA (Production Sharing
Agreement) operating companies;
Restructuring of international assets and transition to new
business and ownership models;
High-level corporate governance and board activities;
Evaluation of new projects and investment opportunities.
He played a pivotal role in the establishment and management
of Azerbaijan’s first onshore PSA operating company, as well as in developing
the operational presence of international oil companies in the Caspian region.
Phil Maxwell is widely recognized as a respected expert distinguished by his
strategic vision, effective crisis management capabilities, and extensive
experience in international negotiations.