Russia is holding commemorative events to mark the 95th anniversary of the birth of Farman Salmanov, the pioneering geologist credited with discovering Siberian oil and playing a pivotal role in developing the oil and gas resources of Western Siberia.
The main anniversary events took place in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug–Yugra and the Tyumen Region, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.
In Khanty-Mansiysk, veterans of the oil and gas industry laid flowers at Salmanov's monument and observed a minute of silence in his memory.
The Museum of Geology, Oil and Gas opened a special exhibition featuring the legendary geologist's personal belongings, documents, photographs, awards, and memorabilia.
Across the region, museums hosted themed exhibitions, guided tours, and meetings with industry veterans. The Surgut Museum of Local Lore held an open day, Megion unveiled the exhibition The Era of Oil Discoveries, while Langepas opened Oil Begins with People: F.K. Salmanov.
In Surgut, commemorative events were held at the F.K. Salmanov House Memorial Complex, where participants laid flowers at the geologist's bust. Visitors toured the house where Salmanov lived with his family in the late 1950s, learned about the region's first oil discoveries, and visited the R-1 exploratory well.
One of the central events of the anniversary celebrations was the presentation of a UTair Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter decorated with a portrait of Salmanov. The artwork was created by designer Andrey Olkhovsky at the initiative of the Yugra government. The helicopter is expected to continue operating at the region's oil fields.
Yugra Governor Ruslan Kukharuk said the region had become one of Russia's strategic oil-producing centres thanks to the courage, perseverance, and determination of pioneering geologists. He noted that the expedition led by Salmanov discovered several major oil fields in 1961, laying the foundation for the large-scale development of Western Siberia. Today, Yugra produces about 40% of Russia's oil and around 5% of global oil output.
Industry veterans also remembered Salmanov as a leader who always kept his word, placed great importance on people, and supported his colleagues in both professional and personal matters.
Commemorative events were also held in Tyumen, where authorities inaugurated the Geological Glory Square. The new public space commemorates 370 prominent geologists who contributed to the exploration of Western Siberia's mineral resources. A memorial plaque dedicated to Salmanov was also unveiled.
Salmanov headed the geological exploration expedition in the Middle Ob region, which discovered the area's largest oil fields in the early 1960s. More than 130 oil and gas fields were discovered under his leadership. Today, his name is borne by Surgut Airport, a gymnasium, several streets, and a number of aircraft and river vessels.
By Bakhtiyar Abbasov
