Azerbaijan, located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, has long been defined by its abundant natural resources and its pivotal role in shaping the global oil and gas industry. From hosting the world’s first industrial oil well to pioneering offshore engineering, the country’s history is marked by innovation and resilience. Yet today, as the world questions the sustainability of hydrocarbons and accelerates the shift toward cleaner energy, Azerbaijan and the broader Caspian region face a critical crossroads. For policymakers and industry leaders, the question is no longer whether the energy transition will occur, but how the region can navigate it while maintaining its strategic relevance and economic strength.

Against this backdrop, Baku hosted the 2025 Caspian Technical Conference (CTC), organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), which brings together 132,000 specialists from 146 countries. Supported by SOCAR and themed “Learning from the Past, Innovating Today, Inspiring the Future,” the conference underscored how the region must use its historical experience to respond to modern challenges. Over two days, experts examined issues ranging from digitalization, AI-driven reservoir optimization and drilling efficiency to decarbonization, operational excellence and workforce transformation—all of which form the backbone of the Caspian’s evolving energy landscape. Alongside the sessions, a technology exhibition........

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