Our northern neighbor, the Siberian region of Russia, is rich not only in nature but also in its oil and gas deposits. The discovery of the first oil deposits here 60 years ago led to the development of the Siberian region, and in general, to the transformation of the country into an oil, gas and energy giant. Therefore, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug of the Siberian region of Russia still proudly commemorates the name of the person who first discovered oil here, and links the development of the region with the name of this person. This person is the Azerbaijani geologist and oil scientist Farman Salmanov.
We present a reportage prepared by APA's special correspondent in Russia, Farid Akbarov, from Siberia, Surgut, where Farman Salmanov discovered his first oil deposit.
Welcome to the Surgut Airport named after Farman Salmanov, the first to discover oil in Siberia!
A plane flying on a Moscow-Surgut flight... The pilot announces to passengers, "Our plane is landing at Surgut Airport named after Farman Salmanov, who first discovered oil in Siberia"... It is truly a feeling of pride as an Azerbaijani.
Since 2019, the airport of the city of Surgut has been named after the famous Azerbaijani geologist, Farman Salmanov, who discovered the first oil fields in Siberia. The decision to name Russian airports after personalities who have "special services to the country" was signed by President Vladimir Putin. The decree of the Russian head of state is based on the results of the 2019 vote called "Velikie Amana Rossii" (Great Names of Russia) to name almost 50 airports after prominent figures. Farman Salmanov's candidacy, which won in the city of Surgut, attracted almost 60 percent of the votes.
Although the city of Surgut in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, which is part of the Tyumen region of Russia, was once a place where prisoners were exiled, the discovery of oil fields here in the 1960s has given impetus to the socio-economic development of not only Surgut but also the entire region. That is why the Siberian population has not forgotten the name of the person who caused this development, Farman Salmanov, who discovered the first oil field in Siberia, and has immortalized his memory at every step. Today, in Surgut, where he led his first oil expedition, there is an airport and a street named after him, as well as a gymnasium, an oil and gas condensate field, and a house museum.
According to Azad Maharramov, an employee of the Farman Salmanov house-museum, the Azerbaijani geologist came here as the head of a geological exploration expedition. "Farman Salmanov lived in this house for more than 4 years. His expedition was not only engaged in exploration of oil fields, but also helped with construction work in Surgut. It was thanks to this expedition that Surgut turned from a small village engaged in fishing and forestry into the most populous city in Yugra. Geology is such a profession that its owners often have to change their places of residence and work. Salmanov also went to Ust-Balyk, which is a very short distance from here, in 1961, and was engaged in the search for oil fields there."
"Surgut – Turning from a settlement with a population of 5,000 to Russia's oil capital thanks to Salmanov"
The area where Salmanov’s house-museum is located was a settlement called "Chorniy Mys" (Black Mys) with a population of 5,000 until 1957. However, after Azerbaijani geologist Farman Salmanov discovered the first oil fields here in 1957, or more correctly conducted an oil expedition from 1957 to 1961, Surgut transformed into Russia’s oil capital.
Farman Salmanov’s house museum is a unique site for the modern city of Surgut, preserving the "territory of the 1960s" image. The center of the whole complex is the home of Farman Salmanov, the discoverer of Siberian oil, which has been preserved in its historical place. On the house's porch, collections of drilling bits, rock, and oil samples are displayed. Equipment from the era of Siberian oil exploration is exhibited in an open space, including vehicles, oil drilling rigs, and an "oil derrick" once used by the Azerbaijani geologist during expeditions.
A special pride of the museum is the centuries-old cedar trees remaining from the taiga forest that once covered the area. These taiga “giants”, preserved by Farman Salmanov himself, add a unique warmth and comfort to the museum grounds.
Farman Salmanov lived in this house from 1957 to 1961. In 2007, the house was turned into a museum in honor of his jubilee. Today, the museum preserves Salmanov's personal belongings, photographs, and pictures of his family members from the time he lived there.
“There are many museums in our region dedicated to the geology profession. However, the Farman Salmanov house museum is the only museum named after a single person. Other museums are general and feature dedicated sections for various geologists,” museum staff member Azad Maharramov stated.
An Azerbaijani who brought eternal warmth to Russia's coldest regions
Farman Salmanov’s memory is cherished not only in Surgut but also in the city of Khanty-Mansiysk. Russia's largest mine rock storage preserves samples collected by Salmanov during his geological exploration in Siberia, which remain intact to this day.
In the 1960s, Farman Salmanov famously declared to his colleagues and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev who did not believe him: “Dear comrades, oil is gushing from a depth of 2,180 meters in Megion.” Is that clear? I found the oil. That’s it!”. For this reason, our compatriot is named as both the Azerbaijani oilman who conquered Siberia and the Azerbaijani who brought eternal warmth to Russia’s coldest regions.
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