The National Committee of Geophysicists of Azerbaijan

National Committee of Geophysicists of Azerbaijan (NCGA) has been established on October 28, 1993. The activity of NCGA according to its Bylaws is devoted to study of geodynamic processes within the earth crust and lithosphere, prediction of natural resources in the earth’s depths, development of efficient exploration and prospecting techniques, to integration of Azerbaijan’s geophysics into international geophysical community, performing studies and organization of international and local conferences and workshops. One of the major activities of NCGA consists in implementation of various studies covering pivotal tasks of petroleum geology and geophysics in Azerbaijan and involves the following: - Atlas of petrophysical studies covering Mesozoic and Cenozoic deposits in Azerbaijan; the Atlas contains up to 20 petrophysical parameters derived as a result of analysis of 24000 rock samples - Atlas of elasticity and velocity models covering Mesozoic and Cenozoic deposits in Caspian oil-gas bearing basin and Azerbaijan - Atlas of thermal and pressure parameters of terrigene deposits in oil-gas depression zones of Azerbaijan. The Atlas reflects a large amount of well data while informing about some regularities and recommendations. - Atlas of mineral resources across Nakhchyvan Autonomous Republic. The Atlas contains over 50 maps and along with geological and geophysical maps, it reflects other maps also (soil composition maps, climate maps, etc.) - The map of deep setting of Black sea-Caspian depression zone. The map covers territories of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Western Turkmenistan featuring regional tectonic units and position of various sediments. - Tectonic maps and maps of oil-gas bearing regions covering onshore and offshore areas of Azerbaijan. NCGA has already made a tradition to hold biennial International Geophysical Conferences. The conferences create an excellent opportunity to discuss pivotal tasks of modern petroleum geology and geophysics, ecpesially those devoted to regional issues. Held jointly with Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), these conferences gather leading scientists and experts from all over the world and allow to define futher trend in geophysics. The first Conference was held in 1996, while the latest one – the VII conference has been held over May 11-13, 2010. Technical program consisting of oral and poster sessions is devoted to various branches of geophysics and geology and covers tens of presentations. At the same time, the NCGA holds local workshops, including those mentioned below: - Prediction of hydrocarbon accumulations in non-anticline traps by geophysical exploration techniques (November, 1998) - Geophysical control over development of oil fields in Azerbaijan (1998) - Prediction of earthquakes by geophysical and geochemical techniques (November, 1998) - Geophysical lectures devoted to the memory of Shapirovsky (March, 1999) - Workshop devoted to “50th anniversary of Neft Dashlary” (November, 1999) - Extraordinary geologic phenomena (June, 2000), etc. Starting from 1996 NCGA issues the journal “Geophysics News in Azerbaijan”. Editorial Board of the journal keeps high scientific and technical level of published papers. Publication of papers in three languages makes wider its audience and makes it known in oil producing countries of the world. Within the framework of NCGA a number of research and text books, reference books have been published, including: - Oil and gas perspectives of sedimentary cover of South Caspian Basin (authors: K.M.Kerimov, R.R.Rahmanov, M.B.Kheyirov) - “Who is who?” devoted to reknown geophysicits of Azerbaijan - Dictionary of English-Russian-Azerbaijani geophysical terms - the author: Yusif Gambarov NCGA is also planning to assist activity of NCGA’s student section, organise excursions, render educational scholarships for best students, organise English and computer courses. Other important facets of NCGA’s activity consists in organising meetings and rendering support to petroleum-geologists and geophysicists, young scientists and post-graduate students.