Category: Azer News

At the Asset Integrity and Corrosion Conference (AICC 2025), Azernews held an in-depth conversation with Tuartek’s Chairman of the Board, Sirzat Turan, Vice Chairman, Nurettin Argali, and General Manager, Ali Gneyli. As an EPCM company specialized in corrosion control technologies, Tuartek provides multidisciplinary engineering, consultancy, and implementation services across the energy, petrochemical, marine, and infrastructure sectors.

The company plays a vital role in both national and corporate economic resilience by raising awareness about corrosion control and preventing corrosion-related damage. Tuartek has delivered successful projects for leading organizations, including TANAP, SOCAR Turkiye Aegean Refinery (STAR), and PETKIM and PETLIM, offering tailored corrosion mitigation strategies and comprehensive project management solutions. By combining operational excellence with engineering innovation, Tuartek supports major assets end-to-end, from design and inspection to implementation, operation, and maintenance.

Question: Tuartek provides consultancy and inspection services for cathodic protection systems across major SOCAR projects, including the TANAP pipeline and STAR. How are your consultancy and supervision applied throughout these projects, and during which stages do you contribute the most?

According to the company’s leadership, Tuartek provides end-to-end corrosion and cathodic protection consultancy for all SOCAR subsidiaries in Trkiye, supporting projects through construction, commissioning, operation, and long-term maintenance.

‘Where design gaps or inconsistencies are identified, we provide SOCAR with detailed feedback and recommendations, enabling corrections to be made prior to implementation,’ they explained.

Their involvement begins at the desk, not in the field. The team first reviews all project documentation in terms of design reports, technical specifications, and drawings to verify that cathodic protection systems are correctly planned.

After construction, Tuartek’s role transitioned into the operation and maintenance phase, where its responsibilities broadened significantly. ‘From the very first year of commissioning, we have carried out detailed measurements and performance checks to verify that the systems remain fully protected,’ the representatives said.

They noted that both TANAP and the STAR Refinery continue to benefit from Tuartek’s ongoing operation and maintenance services. ‘We use advanced monitoring and diagnostic tools and methods. Our primary focus is to ensure that these systems operate safely, reliably, and in line with international standards throughout their service life.’

Tuartek officials also pointed out that field assets are continually exposed to harsh environmental conditions and potential third-party interference. To safeguard system performance, the company carries out ongoing inspection, repair, and preventive maintenance to ensure long-term stability and reliability.

A key pillar of their work is digitalization. All field data is captured and managed within a Geographic Information System (GIS). ‘Our technicians record measurements directly into the system via mobile devices, which enables near real-time monitoring of the entire network,’ they explained. By comparing current results with historical data, Tuartek monitors system integrity and detects anomalies at an early stage. Any issues identified are then communicated to SOCAR through structured monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.

Question: Periodic measurements such as CIPS and DCVG surveys are essential for pipeline integrity. What are the most common challenges you encounter during these surveys, and how does Tuartek overcome them?

The officials highlighted that Tuartek regularly performs External Corrosion Direct Assessment on the entire 1,850 km TANAP pipeline, which includes both CIPS (Close Interval Potential Survey) and DCVG (Direct Current Voltage Gradient) surveys.

They explained that DCVG is used to detect coating defects that may occur due to seismic activity, ground movement, or temperature changes along the pipeline. Meanwhile, CIPS demonstrates the effectiveness of the cathodic protection system at every meter of the pipeline.

“We carry out both surveys on a five-year cycle along the entire route, dividing the work into annual sections of approximately 400-450 km,” they said.

When coating defects are identified, Tuartek verifies each location against SIB survey data to obtain a clear picture of the pipeline’s actual condition. Company representatives emphasized that a coating defect does not automatically indicate a safety risk: if cathodic protection readings confirm full effectiveness, the affected segment is still classified as safe, and this evaluation is thoroughly recorded and reported to the client.

However, the team noted that the terrain itself poses significant challenges. ‘In some sections, the pipeline passes through elevations above 2,000 meters. Accessing these locations and providing logistical support for our teams is extremely demanding,’ they said. Despite these conditions, Tuartek has successfully completed all scheduled surveys to date.

Another technical difficulty arises from telluric effects caused by the Earth’s magnetic field, which can influence measurement readings. The officials acknowledged these constraints but emphasized that the company applies advanced correction techniques and instrumentation to minimize their impact on data accuracy.

The International Military Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan held a year-end meeting with representatives of foreign military attachés accredited in the country, Azernews reports. The gathering brought together 41 participants from 28 countries.

During the meeting, Colonel Elchin Abdullayev, Head of the International Military Cooperation Department, highlighted Azerbaijan’s victory in the 44-day Patriotic War. He emphasized that the victory not only restored Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity but also contributed to international peace and restored historical justice. The colonel further stressed that the success of the Patriotic War served as a step toward peace not only for the peoples of Azerbaijan and Armenia but for the international community as a whole.

The discussions also reviewed military cooperation activities carried out in Azerbaijan throughout 2025. Special attention was given to the military parade held on November 8 in Baku’s Azadliq Square, commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Patriotic War victory, as well as to visits organized for foreign military attachés to various regions of Azerbaijan, including liberated territories, to showcase reconstruction, restoration, and development projects.

Participants engaged in detailed exchanges on planned activities for the coming year, discussed future cooperation prospects, and received answers to their questions regarding Azerbaijan’s defense initiatives.

The National Library of Azerbaijan has unveiled a special book exhibition titled ‘People’s Artist Rashid Behbudov – 110’, dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the birth of Rashid Behbudov, the legendary Azerbaijani singer and actor whose extraordinary voice and artistic mastery have captivated audiences around the world, Azernews reports.

According to the library, the exhibition features a rich collection of Azerbaijani and foreign publications detailing Behbudov’s life and career. Visitors can explore materials highlighting his contributions to Azerbaijani musical culture, his distinctive vocal timbre, signature performance style, and interpretations of folk and composer songs. The exhibition also showcases photographs, gramophone records, and press clippings documenting his unparalleled achievements.

Born on December 14, 1915, in Tbilisi to the family of Majid Behbudov Behbudali, a renowned khanende from Shusha, Rashid Behbudov became one of Azerbaijan’s most illustrious cultural figures. A true ambassador of his homeland, he promoted Azerbaijani culture passionately across the globe, leaving an indelible mark on audiences in countless countries.

Behbudov’s legacy endures through his immortal voice, admired for its power, emotion, and technical brilliance. With exceptional professionalism and mastery of vocal and stage performance, he made substantial contributions to the development of opera in Azerbaijan. Throughout his illustrious career, he embarked on international tours, delighting audiences with his versatile talent and leaving unforgettable impressions everywhere he performed.

In recognition of his monumental contributions to Azerbaijani culture, the 100th anniversary of Rashid Behbudov was celebrated at the state level in 2015, following a decree by the President of Azerbaijan, underscoring his enduring influence on the promotion and development of the nation’s artistic heritage.

Azerbaijan and the United States (U.S.) have exchanged views on energy interconnectors linking Azerbaijan, Trkiye, Central Asia, and Europe, as well as on the establishment of data centers and energy supply.

Azernews reports that this was announced by Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov in a post on his X account.

‘We met with Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the National Energy Dominance Council at the White House. We exchanged views on the strategic importance of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) in ensuring interregional energy connectivity, as well as on energy interconnectors between Azerbaijan, Trkiye, Central Asia, and Europe, the creation of data centers, and energy supply,’ the post said.

It should be noted that in January-October of this year, the volume of trade operations between Azerbaijan and the United States amounted to $1.059 billion. According to the data, this is $19.7 million, or 1.9%, higher than in the same period of 2024.

During the reporting period, trade turnover with the United States accounted for 2.59% of Azerbaijan’s total foreign trade turnover. As a result, the U.S. ranked sixth among Azerbaijan’s largest trading partners during the period.

In January-October of the current year, Azerbaijan exported $52.7 million worth of goods to the United States, which is $65.8 million, or 2.2 times, less than in the same period last year.

At the same time, imports from the United States to Azerbaijan totaled $1 billion during the reporting period, representing an increase of $85.5 million, or 9.3%, compared to the same period in 2024. As a result, the United States ranked fourth among Azerbaijan’s largest sources of imports during the reporting period.

Azerbaijan and the Kyrgyz Republic have explored opportunities for cooperation in energy, industry, transport, and other priority sectors, Azernews reports, citing the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR).

The discussions took place within the framework of the 6th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation between the two countries. SOCAR Vice President Anar Mammadov met with Bakyt Torobayev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, to discuss avenues for collaboration.

The meeting brought together representatives from SOCAR Downstream, members of Kyrgyz government and state agencies, as well as business leaders.

During the talks, participants reviewed potential cooperation opportunities across energy, industry, transport, and other priority sectors, exchanging views on matters of mutual interest aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

Company supports students in publishing the book ‘Have You Ever Seen One?’

On December 5, the children’s book ‘Have You Ever Seen One?’ was officially launched with the support of Azercell, in collaboration with The International School of Azerbaijan (TISA) and Roller Bird Publishing House.

Created through student-led research, the book focuses on protecting one of Azerbaijan’s rare and endangered species – the Caspian seal. The project aims to nurture environmental awareness and social responsibility among young learners, while also encouraging reading habits and creative, inquiry-driven thinking.

During a special event held at TISA, students discussed the environmental challenges facing rare species in the Caspian Sea and highlighted how the project promotes responsible attitudes toward nature and conservation. They expressed their gratitude to Azercell for supporting the initiative and noted how this experience has strengthened their ecological understanding and education.

To reach a broader audience, the book has been published in both Azerbaijani and English. ‘Have You Ever Seen One?’ was first showcased earlier this year at the Baku International Book Fair, where it generated significant interest among visitors. The book will also be distributed to schools across the regions of Azerbaijan to further expand its educational impact.

The online platform Reddit plans to challenge in court the Australian government’s decision to ban the use of social media by people under the age of 16, a measure that came into effect on December 10. The information was reported by Sky News Australia, citing the company’s legal complaint, Azernews reports.

According to the filing, Reddit argues that the new law forces not only teenagers but also adult users to undergo ‘intrusive and potentially unsafe verification procedures,’ which the company says restrict freedom of communication and pose risks to user privacy. ‘In addition, the ban prevents children and adolescents from expressing their views directly and creates barriers to political participation in Australia,’ the company noted, adding that the measure effectively ‘isolates young people and deprives them of the opportunity to take part in public life and political discussions.’

In court, Reddit intends to demonstrate that including the platform on the list of websites prohibited for minors was a mistake, arguing that the service is ‘an adult-oriented forum rather than a traditional social network.’ While the company supports the broader goal of online safety for young people, it calls for ‘more targeted and privacy-respecting solutions.’

The controversy has already sparked intense public debate in Australia. Some users predict that the law will drive teenagers toward closed messaging platforms, while others speculate that it may accelerate the development of new, anonymous verification technologies as a compromise between safety and digital freedom. The new restrictions have quickly become one of the most hotly discussed topics in the Australian online community-and the upcoming legal battle is likely to amplify the discussion even further.

Commercial operations of WeRide’s unmanned taxis have officially begun in Dubai’s Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim districts, although for now they are running in test mode with a safety driver on board, Azernews reports.

‘The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority is pleased to announce the launch of a public robotaxi pilot project, available through the Uber app in Dubai starting today,’ the statement read.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with WeRide and Uber Technologies, and users can currently order the autonomous taxis through Uber’s app.

Officials noted that the service is expected to transition from test mode to full-scale operation in early 2026. Once fully operational, the robotaxis are expected to complement Dubai’s existing public transport network, offering a futuristic and convenient option for residents and tourists alike.

This pilot marks one of the first commercial deployments of fully autonomous taxis in the Middle East, signaling Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for smart mobility and cutting-edge technology. Observers also speculate that such initiatives could eventually expand to include self-driving buses and delivery vehicles, further transforming urban transport in the city.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, delivered remarks at an event held at George Washington University in the United States to commemorate the Day of Remembrance of Azerbaijan’s National Leader, Heydar Aliyev.

As reported by Azernews, according to the Ministry of Energy, the minister emphasized in his speech that Heydar Aliyev played an unparalleled role in the history of Azerbaijan’s statehood. He highlighted that Aliyev’s efforts to build a reliable and stable partnership with the United States laid the foundation for today’s strategic cooperation in energy, security, and economic development.

Shahbazov noted that the 1994 ‘Contract of the Century,’ a product of Heydar Aliyev’s strategic vision, marked the first major achievement in Azerbaijan-U.S. energy cooperation and paved the way for America’s active involvement in bringing Caspian energy resources to global markets.

Quoting the National Leader, the minister recalled: ‘As far as I remember, it was the United States that first called it the ‘Contract of the Century.’ Without the support of the United States, we would not have been able to sign the first contract in 1994, nor the agreement on the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline.’

Shahbazov also highlighted subsequent milestones in the bilateral energy partnership, including the signing of four contracts between the two countries’ oil companies at the White House, and the successful implementation of projects such as the Baku-Supsa and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipelines, as well as the Southern Gas Corridor-all supported by the United States.

The minister further stated that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev-whom he described as the worthy successor to Heydar Aliyev-and U.S. President Donald Trump, Azerbaijan-U.S. relations continue to strengthen, with energy cooperation entering a new strategic phase.

The event also featured speeches by Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the U.S., Khazar Ibrahim; Rector of ADA University, Hafiz Pashayev; and Member of Parliament Samad Seyidov, who heads the Azerbaijan-U.S. Interparliamentary Working Group. The film ‘Iz’ (‘Trace’), produced with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was screened as part of the program.

Master classes in the specialties of piano, tar, garmon, and khananda will take place in Yevlakh and Mingachevir, Azernews reports.

The workshops are organized by the Culture Ministry’s Scientific, Methodological and Qualification Center for Culture (MEMIM) with the support of the Central Aran Regional Department of Culture.

On December 15, master classes in tar and piano will be held at Uzeyir Hajibayli Eleven-Year Music School No. 1 in the city of Mingachevir. The tar master class will be conducted by Arslan Novrasli, Head of the Department of Instrumental Performance at the Faculty of Arts of Garabagh University, and the piano master class will be led by Ulviya Kazimova, PhD in Art Studies and Chair of the Subject Trade Union Commission of the Piano Department of the Music College under the Azerbaijan National Conservatory.

On December 22, master classes in the specialties of garmon and khanende will take place at Children’s Music School No. 1 in the city of Yevlakh.

The sessions will be conducted by Sarkhan Abiyev, Associate Professor of the Department of Folk Instruments at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts (garmon), and by Sevinj Sarayeva, soloist of the International Mugham Center, senior lecturer at the Music College under the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, and Honored Artist (khananda).

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az.