The program for the IADC Drilling Caspian & Black Sea 2027 Conference & Exhibition is now available. Drilling professionals from across the region will meet in Baku on 3–4 February 2027 for two days of technical presentations and panel discussions.
OPENING & KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS: T.B.A.
MARKET OUTLOOK: Aditya Saraswat, Research Director, MENA, Rystad Energy
CASPIAN FIRSTS & COMPLEX WELL DELIVERY
Session Chair: T.B.A.
Delivering the First Subsea Appraisal Well with a JU Rig in the Caspian Sea: Elnur Ismayilov, Head of Drilling Function / Drilling Manager, Anar Salahov, Kanan Alizadeh, Ramin Babayev, UBOC
Successful Delivery of a Multilateral Well in a Caspian Brownfield: Yaqdhan Al Rawahi, Drilling Engineer, Fuad M. Ibrahimov, Namig Piroglanov, Mirnahid Mammadzada, John Keyte, Elman Mikayilov, Sadig Aliyev, Ilkin Guliyev, bp
Restoring Subsea Well Access Through Fit-for-Purpose Vessel Conversion: A Caspian Sea Intervention Case Study: Menna Abdelrazek, Senior Interventions Engineer, Ruslan Mammadli, bp, Sagyndyk Bushanov, SLB
IADC CASPIAN CHAPTER UPDATE: Samir Mollayev, Chairman, IADC Caspian Chapter, General Director, SOCAR-AQS
PANEL AI & DIGITALIZATION
Moderator: Gerard T. Dennehy, Director and General Manager, NOV Azerbaijan
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital automation are transforming drilling operations by improving efficiency, safety, and decision-making. Real-world case studies demonstrate applications ranging from automated drilling optimization and digital safety monitoring to AI-driven well planning and reservoir characterization. The discussion will explore how combining digital innovation with human expertise can deliver measurable operational improvements.
- Andrew Creegan, Product Line Manager, NOV
- Mehriban Namazova, Senior Drilling Engineer, bp
- Thomas Feenstra, Account Executive, Helin
- Andres Nunez, Technical and Commercial Pursuit Lead – Western Hemisphere, SLB
- Vugar Dunyamaliyev, Production Engineering Intern, SOCAR Upstream Operations Management
D34-103D Blowout Control Through Relief Well Interception and Kill: Design, Magnetic Ranging, Well Interception and Successful Well Control: Mariam Awlad Abd Alaati, Drilling Engineer, Nasser S. Teer, Salahaldeen Alashab, Zueitina Oil Company
PANEL HSE & HUMAN FACTORS
Moderator: Chris French, Business Development Executive, The REACH Group
HSE and Human Factors play a vital role in promoting a strong safety culture and improving operational safety. Industry perspectives will highlight the importance of creating safer working environments and reducing risks across operations. A proactive approach and continuous improvement remain essential to achieving sustainable safety performance.
- Matin Allahverdiyev, Well Operation Specialist, bp
- Nawaf Alrajeh, Lead Field Compliance Coordinator, Aramco
- Abdulaziz Al-Hadidi, Field Service Manager, Abraj Energy Services
Anti-Collision and Beyond: Building a Digital Operational Twin for Service Rigs: Colton Pudlowski, Operations Manager, Travis Thomas, Kayla Scherer, NOV
Drilling Strategy of the Fastest Well from Field Operator in Abu Dhabi: Mahmoud ElHusseiny, Umair Ahmed Baig, ADNOC
LEADERSHIP PANEL
Moderator: Farid Umudlu, Drilling Engineering Director, SOCAR Upstream Operations Management
Senior industry leaders will share their priorities for 2027 and perspectives on the key challenges shaping drilling in the Caspian and wider region. The discussion will cover mature brownfield asset development, ageing offshore infrastructure, increasing well complexity, supply-chain and contracting pressures, alliance and collaboration models, and how operators and contractors can align technology and performance initiatives with business strategy.
GEOSTEERING & DOWNHOLE PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION
Session Chair: Lars Nydahl Jørgensen, Regional Director Europe, IADC
Enhancing Geosteering Performance in Tight Sand Using Point-the-Bit Rotary Steerable System and Ultra-Deep Azimuthal Resistivity Single Receiver 1D Inversion, A Case Study from Factory Horizontal Wells in Central Sumatra Basin, Indonesia: Riska Elicia, Geosteering Engineer, Raafiane Asri,Marcellina Kodong, Vinda Manurung, Fitriansyah Putri, Halliburton, M. Adjie Pamungkas, Hari Fernandes, Christian Lukito, Pertamina Hulu Rokan
Development of a Mechanical-Efficiency Modeling Workflow for Optimizing Deepwater Drilling Performance: Hamzat Hudulov, Student, Gullu Jabbarova, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University
Unlocking Remaining Reserves in a Mature Offshore Field: Evaluating Coiled Tubing Drilling Opportunities on Limited Space and Limited Weight Capacity Platforms: Anar Mirzayev, Wells Superintendent, bp
PANEL: MANAGED PRESSURE DRILLING & CML
Moderator: Mehriban Namazova, Senior Drilling Engineer, bp
Successfully drilling complex wells requires innovative pressure management solutions and close coordination between all parties involved. Drawing on field experience, this panel will examine how MPD and CML technologies address narrow drilling windows, minimize operational risks, and improve performance. Practical insights will highlight the importance of robust procedures, reliable equipment, and well-prepared crews.
- Fatima Al Mehrzi, MPD Field Engineer III, Weatherford
- Jose Sebastian Muñoz Restrepo, Technical Sales Advisor, Halliburton
- James Cobb, Drilling Superintendent, bp
- Safa Gasimov, Tourpusher, Caspian Drilling Company
Advancing Offshore Rig Reliability Through Integrated Maintenance, Process Safety, Environmental Compliance, QHSSE Excellence, and Energy Optimization: Ibrahim Alizada, Lead Electrical Engineer and Energy Manager, SOCAR
EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE
Exhibitors will share a brief presentation of their products and services.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Moderator: T.B.A.
- The First Through Tubing Abandonment in BP: Narmin Javadova, Drilling Engineer, bp
- Wired Drill Pipe (WDP) Deployed in North Sea Field Development Campaign – Summary of Technical Applications for Improved Efficiency and Project Results: Mats Andreas Andersen, VP Business Development – DBS, NOV
- Control Authority in AI-Enabled Autonomous Drilling: A Practical Framework for Limits, Safeguards, and Handover: Foued Badrouchi, Professor, Montana Technological University
- Advanced In-Bit Downhole Sensing of Torque, WOB, and Vibrations for Data-Driven Bit Design Optimization in Deep Basin Drilling: A Continuation Study from Australia: Andrei Rebrikov, Principal Tech Services Representative, Halliburton
- Mitigating Lost Circulation and Protecting Reservoir Productivity Using an Acid-Soluble Cement Plug: Field Application of AbraSOL in Oman: Ahmed Hamed AL Hadidi, Cementing Technical Engineer, Abraj Energy Services
- LithoSense: AI-Enabled Analysis of Daily Drilling Reports for Operational Insight and NPT Reduction: Tahir Askarli, AI Engineer, Datazen Solutions
- First Application of Downhole Pressure and Temperature Monitoring Gauges (DPT gauges) in an Ultra-Deep High-Pressure Well Completions in the Bulla Gas Condensate Field, Caspian Sea: Shaig Ismayilov, Senior Well Completions Engineer, SOCAR AQS
We look forward to your participation and hope to see you at this important event!
