September 20 – Oil Workers' Day in Azerbaijan

September 20, 2020

Posted on September 20, 2020

“Contract of the Century.”

I read over and over again that the September 20, 1994, contract between the newly independent country Azerbaijan and the largest nations in the world – a contract to develop oil and gas fields in the Caspian Sea – was the Contract of the Century. That it changed Azerbaijan forever. That it changed history.

Azerbaijan is rich in oil and gas, and hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis work in the industry. The nation supplies fossil fuels to millions of people.

You probably know that burning fossil fuels is a huge cause of climate change, and climate change is causing horribly extreme weather, devastating hurricanes, and massive wildfires – so it feels really strange to celebrate the industry and those who work in it. I hope that the nation is thinking ahead and investing in clean energy, too!

Above and two below:
The “Oil Rocks” city was built when Azerbaijan was part
of the Soviet Union, and some parts are rusting out and
falling apart. To some extent, the floating city is slowly
falling into the Caspian Sea.

Like oil rigs everywhere, there is great danger of fire
and oil spills. In addition to injuring or killing workers,
these accidents are devastating to the environment!