OREANDA-NEWS. On 25 April 2008 was announced, that the opening ceremony was attended by the Russian Embassy representative in The Republic of Azerbaijan, the Trade representative for Russia in the Republic of Azerbaijan, representatives of the Azerbaijan State Oil Company (SOCAR) and representatives of Russian and international oil and gas, oilfield service and engineering companies.

Integra Group already has experience of operating in the Azerbaijan. Smith Eurasia, which became part of Integra from 2006, supplied drilling equipment and tools as well as integrated project management services to this market. In 2007 another Integra Group subsidiary, Tyumenneftegeophizika, worked on a joint project with SOCAR, which involved 2D and 3D seismic surveying of the fields operated by the Gobustan Oil Operating Company.

The representative office has been established with the aim of market research and creating conditions for the Group’s balanced development in the region.

During the opening ceremony Mark Sadykhov, First Deputy CEO of Integra Group, said:

“We consider the Azerbaijan market to be one of the most prospective in terms of cooperation in oilfield engineering and oilfield services.

“We are looking forward to building an effective and mutually beneficial cooperation with SOCAR. Integra Group is interested in promoting its drilling, seismic, downhole services in the region, which we believe will be in great demand in Azerbaijan with its high concentration of aged fields, which require high tech seismic surveys in order to improve their efficiency. 

“Traditionally Azerbaijan has always been a producer of oil equipment. In our opinion, this sector has the most favorable prospects for our manufacturing enterprises in terms of cooperation in production of oil & gas equipment in the area. 

“Finally, we are interested in partnership with Azerbaijan companies in the area of education and exchange of experience. The representatives of the oldest school of oil engineers in the world, based in Baku work for Integra Group and I am sure that cooperation between our employees and that of other Azerbaijan Companies will become mutually beneficial for both our company and Azerbaijan”.