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Autumn 1998 (6.3) 
NAOC's first humanitarian project began soon after the NAOC contract was signed in December 1996. Because of the severe shortage of housing for refugees resulting from the war with Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh (in Azeri, Daglig Garabag), NAOC undertook a refugee housing project in the Mingachevir region. It consists of 10 buildings designed to shelter 100 families. The construction was completed in four months between April and July 1997. NAOC continues to assist in efforts to help the refugees by sponsoring the construction of community centers in several regions including Mingachevir. Many refugees are still living in public buildings, tents and railroad box cars five years after they had to abandon their homes and flee for their lives. In some refugee camps, schools are still held in tents and as there is no access to education, some of these community centers have been designated to serve temporarily as schools for these refugee children. In addition to the housing project, NAOC is supporting the distribution of foodstuffs from the U.S. military to victims of the war and to orphanages through CounterPart International. NAOC has contributed to the costs for the internal distribution of foodstuffs throughout Azerbaijan. NAOC's commitment is to render long-term assistance to the needy, especially children. The Zabrat orphanage on the Absheron peninsula is one more example. Their roof was in very poor condition as well as the kitchen, dishwashing room and laundry. NAOC repaired them. Not wanting the kids to miss out on the New Year's celebration - Noruz (March 21), they organized a party and entertainment since such children might not get the chance to enjoy these events the way most children do. Cultural Sphere NAOC also sponsored a ballet to commemorate French composer Saint-Saëns which was performed by the children of the Ballet College. Since opera is highly esteemed in the Azerbaijani community, NAOC has become a Gold Member of the Opera House Trust Fund, which among other projects has undertaken to repair the Opera Studio of the Baku Music Academy. From Azerbaijan International (6.3) Autumn 1998. |
North Absheron Operating Company
(NAOC) continues to focus on both commercial and humanitarian
endeavors in Azerbaijan. During the first year that the company
was established, NAOC set the standard for reducing project cycle
time between ratification of their contract by Parliament (Milli
Mejlis) on February 25, 1997 and the successful drilling and
testing of the first well, Ashrafi-1. This was accomplished in
less than 11 months with a streamlined organization designed
to improve efficiency and manage costs. Drilling on NAOC's second
untested structure, the Dan Ulduzu-1, began in August 1998. The
well is programmed to explore to a depth of 3100m.