BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. Corrosion has
become a global threat, and the energy transition creates new
challenges, Executive Director of SOCAR Midstream Gas Operations
(SOCAR MGO) Polad Rustamov said at the event "Asset Integrity &
Corrosion and Coatings Conference" in Baku, Trend reports.


He laid it on the line that the corrosion issue reaches far and
wide, spilling over from the oil and gas industry.


According to him, in the past, it was easier to rebuild
infrastructure because resources were abundant, and instead of
repairing existing facilities, it was possible to build new
ones.


"However, today, one of the main goals in asset integrity
management is to ensure sustainability. The second parallel session
of the conference is dedicated to the topic of coatings and
corrosion, and discussions in this area are of particular
importance.


Currently, many oil and gas companies are becoming energy
companies, but this doesn't mean that integrity problems will
disappear if we abandon oil and gas and transfer alternative energy
carriers, such as hydrogen, to pipelines. On the contrary, in some
cases, we may face more serious problems," Rustamov pointed
out.


The executive director also mentioned that different kinds of
corrosion in the oil and gas industry can lead to significant
economic losses and wreak havoc on the environment. In this neck of
the woods, enhancing the coating systems to keep corrosion at bay
is of the utmost importance.


Besides, according to him, the development of new technologies
is impossible without the joint activities of industry
representatives.







"The presentations held within the conference demonstrate that
modern inspection technologies reduce safety risks, accelerate
inspection processes, and allow for more efficient results," he
clarified.


Additionally, Rustamov touched on the topic of artificial
intelligence, noting that in the oil and gas industry, especially
in the field of asset integrity management, knowledge is mainly
concentrated within companies and specialists.


"Companies are developing artificial intelligence tools, but we
as an industry must form this knowledge base together. Otherwise,
the volume and usefulness of existing data will remain limited.


The energy transition is already a reality, and almost all oil
and gas companies are trying to add new energy sources to their
portfolios. However, this process creates new technical and
engineering challenges for specialists working with metals and
other materials," the executive director emphasized.


The Asset Integrity Corrosion and Coatings Conference and
Showcase (AICC CASPIAN 2025), put on by the State Oil Company of
Azerbaijan (SOCAR), kicked off today at the Fairmont Baku – Flame
Towers. This three-day premier industry event will pull together
global experts, technology leaders, and senior executives to dive
into the latest advancements, tackle challenges, and share best
practices in asset integrity, corrosion control, and protective
coatings, ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of
critical oil and gas assets.


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