SOCAR PETROLEUM CJSC was established in Azerbaijan in 2008 under the SOCAR brand to organise the purchase and sale of oil and gas products and to provide quality supply services in accordance with international standards. The company’s first three fuel stations were opened on the 7th of May 2010.
Currently, SOCAR Petroleum operates 43 petrol stations in the country. The company also owns a CNG and 11 oil terminals; 10 of these oil terminals operate in the regions, and one - in Baku.
92% of the fuel realised at the SOCAR petrol stations is produced in the country, 8% - imported. In other words, A-92 and diesel fuel sold at the petrol stations are supplied by the Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery and Super and Premium fuels are imported. After the completion of the upgrading works, in 2023, the refinery will start to produce Premium fuel, which is imported now.
All types of fuel sold at the SOCAR Petroleum’s petrol stations is inspected by the Institute of Metrology, which submit a report on the results of the inspection every month. The quality of the fuel is regularly monitored by laboratory tests conducted by the competent government agencies. In addition, the underground tanks of SOCAR petrol stations are cleaned twice a year by special equipment in accordance with the approved schedule.
Locally produced A-92 and diesel fuel meet EURO-3 and EURO-4 environmental standards, respectively, and imported Super and Premium meet EURO-5 standards. In general, the demand for A-92 petrol and diesel fuel is higher at SOCAR petrol stations because most trucks, taxis and buses use these fuels.
Super is a petrol mainly used in newly imported modern cars, which meet higher environmental standards. High-octane oil is used in the production of this type of petrol and therefore it is considered environmentally friendly. Cars brought to Azerbaijan from Europe, America and Japan in recent years use only Super petrol. The increasing number of modern cars in the country has also increased the demand for a fuel considered for them. To provide more affordable services to the customers, SOCAR Petroleum is expanding the sale of Super fuel that meets EURO-5 standards.
Currently, Super fuel is sold at the following stations:
- Right-hand side of Baku-Airport Highway (former Sabunchu circle)
- Area of Bibi-Heybat Mosque (right side of the road)
- 28th km of Baku-Guba Highway (right side)
- Right-hand side of Airport-Baku Highway (near Baku Olympic Stadium)
- The Babek Avenue (toward the city centre)
- The Ziya Bunyadov Avenue
- The Nobel Avenue
- Area of Badamdar Car Market.
Note that only SOCAR petrol stations sell Super petrol in Azerbaijan.
Modular petrol stations
SOCAR Petroleum operates modular petrol stations as well. Thus, a new modular petrol station under the SOCAR brand has been put into operation in the Shahdagh Tourism Centre, located on the 29th km of the Gusar-Laza road in the Gusar region. Developed by SOCAR PETROLEUM’s professional engineering staff, this petrol station is located at an altitude of 1,600 m above sea level, in an area of 1,500 m2. This petrol station is more convenient for drivers moving in Gusar region, as well as for visitors to Shahdagh Tourism Centre.
In order to provide uninterrupted fuel supply during the construction works in Karabakh lands liberated from the occupation, SOCAR petroleum has opened its first modular petrol station in Aghdam on the road under construction now.
Two fuel distributors have been installed at the new modular stations, which carry out the sale of A-92 petrol and diesel fuel. It enables two small and one large vehicle to be refuelled simultaneously.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
SOCAR Petroleum CJSC pays special attention to the commissioning of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) stations in accordance with the gas station development plan. CNG is currently the most affordable fuel on the market in terms of consumption and safety. Considering that it is the most environmentally friendly fuel, SOCAR is intensifying its activities in the CNG market. At present, there are nine CNG stations operating in the country. According to the development plan, it is planned to commission 12 more CNG stations in the near future and increase the number of stations included in the network to 21.
It should be noted that compared to other fuels, natural gas emits 70-90% less nitrogen, 60-70% less carbon monoxide and 20-30% less carbon dioxide. As natural gas does not contain sulfur, sulfur oxides are not formed. This, in turn, prevents wear of the metal surfaces of the engine. Thus, the quality of this fuel allows the service life and lubrication of internal combustion engines to be extended and reduces lubrication costs. CNG shortages are not expected in the fuel market in the future, as the country’s natural gas production has been growing with increasing volumes since 2018.
Fast facts: CNG (compressed natural gas) is a type of natural gas compressed under a pressure of 200 bar, consisting of 95% methane. The low selling price allows consumers who use this fuel to save money. According to international experience, CNG, which is the main alternative to petrol and diesel fuels, is the most environmentally friendly and safe motor fuel and meets the requirements of the EURO-6 environmental standard. Consumption is 20% lower than liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It has been used in public transport in Azerbaijan since 2015, and from 2018 it has been sold through retail networks of petrol stations. One of the main CNG users in Azerbaijan is BakuBus LTD.
SOCAR Petroleum and 189 TAXI are implementing a joint Eco Taxi project. As part of the cooperation, CNG equipment was installed in 189 TAXI vehicles. Thus there has been significant efficiency both in the supply of gas to taxis and in the sale of SOCAR Petroleum’s CNG.
As part of the Eco Taxi project, taxis have travelled a total of 500,000 km in one year. Also, 17,000 customers were transported during the period. Unlike traditional fuel, taxis have reduced fuel consumption by 2.5 times. In addition, the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere for more than a year has decreased to 11 tonnes. In other fuels, this figure is many times higher. CNG is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly fuels in urban and public transport.
Electric car charging
As part of a joint project of SOCAR Petroleum and CZAR International, the installation of equipment for charging electric vehicles at the SOCAR brand petrol stations has begun. The equipment was first installed on the Salyan highway at the SOCAR petrol station near the Bibiheybat mosque. The newly installed charging station can charge two electric cars at the same time. With this 20 kW charging equipment, cars will be able to be fully charged in 30-60 minutes, depending on the make and model of the car.
By the end of 2021, CZAR International charging equipment will be installed and put into operation at all petrol stations operating under the SOCAR brand in the Absheron Peninsula and Siyazan, Gusar, Shamakhy, Sheki, Goran, Hajigabul, Gobustan, Salyan, Lerik and Shusha.