Galym-Galam: Emil Bayramov, Assistant Professor at NU SMG

Emil Bayramov, Assistant Professor at NU SMG, describes opportunities to simplify and optimize risk management principles for the safe and cost-effective operations of marine and onshore petroleum and gas & mining assets in the Caspian Sea Region.

Could you please tell us about your educational and professional background?

I hold a PhD in the Natural Sciences (Specialization: Geospatial, Remote Sensing and Earth Observation Technologies) from the Dresden University of Technology in Germany, an MSc in Geographical Information Systems from Lund University in Sweden, a second MSc in Geography, and a BSc in Geography. Furthermore, I am a Chartered Geographer (GIS) in the Royal Geographical Society in the UK and a Certified Remote Sensing Professional in the Canadian Institute of Geomatics. As a winner of the US Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, I spent one year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US studying leadership, professional and academic development in Geospatial and Remote Sensing Technologies. I was also a Fulbright Visiting Postdoctoral Scholar at the American University and a postdoctoral scientist at Dresden University of Technology and Berlin Technical University.?

Before coming to NU in 2019, I worked for BP Oil and Gas Company in the?Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey Region as a Senior Geospatial Information Specialist, with the role of UNDP Vetted International Expert in Geospatial Data Management and Analysis with the Expertise in Biodiversity Conservation, Natural Resource Management, and Sustainable Development. Additionally, for over 10 years, I worked as an international consultant on Geospatial, Remote Sensing, and Earth Observation Technologies in CIS countries for projects carried out by various international organizations and institutions.?

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Could you please tell us about your current research project??

The primary goal of my research is to promote the application of Geospatial, Remote Sensing, and Earth Observation Technologies for optimization, risk, and cost reduction in the safe operations of marine and onshore petroleum and gas & mining industries of the Caspian Sea Region. My team focuses on the mapping of the surface displacements of petroleum and gas fields as well as mining sites with pipelines for geohazard risk management. For remote sensing and Earth observation, we apply machine and deep learning principles. Our research embraces activities focused on existing industry challenges and critical needs for the operational safety and security of the critical energy infrastructure of the Caspian Sea region.

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What are your key research findings?

We have conducted numerous scientific observations and made findings related to the ongoing ground deformation processes of the Caspian Sea region. By studying the detected oil spills and natural seepage slicks and modeling possible oil spills in the Caspian Sea, we have been able to optimize the risk management principles of marine and onshore platforms and wells. In addition, our research allows us to significantly contribute to exploration data analytics and the planning of drilling activities. These intensive research activities have focused on machine learning-based remote sensing and Earth observation applications, and studies of ice formations for optimized risk management practices in the marine and onshore petroleum and gas industry are an ongoing process.???????

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Why did you choose to join NU?

Nazarbayev University is one of the most prestigious and well-respected universities in the world. I am proud to work here. Over 23 years of experience in the marine and onshore petroleum and gas industry have given me full confidence in my global geospatial, remote sensing, and Earth observation practical expertise. I felt that it was the right time for me to start transferring my extensive scientific and professional experience and knowledge to the academic and scientific community and to apply my research skills to solve diverse industry problems.??

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What do you plan to work on in future?

I will continue to target the practical values of our research activities, focusing on the existing and upcoming petroleum and gas challenges of the Caspian Sea Region to address the critical needs of the industry concerning the reduction of risks and costs and the strengthening of operational effectiveness and safety. I will continue working in a multidisciplinary fashion to address all types of marine and onshore petroleum and gas industry challenges and diversify the academic research directions of my project team.