First job in the hydrocarbon-rich Absheron peninsula, Caspian region - as Dubendi Oil Terminal Manager for Caspian TransCo Inc.
In charge of managing the oil terminal where we received crude oil shipments with ships arriving from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan ports in the Caspian Sea. Our responsibility was
to offload crude oil and store it in tanks before transferring to railcars for transportation to the Batumi oil terminal in Georgia, situated along the Black Sea, using the
Trans-Caucasian railway corridor.
Became a resident of Baku, Azerbaijan.
1999
Promoted to the positions of Railway Manager and then Shipping Manager within a year.
Held the responsibility of overseeing a fleet comprising 15,000 railcars and 40 ships, each with a cargo capacity ranging from 4,500 to 12,500 deadweight (dwt) tons. These vessels
operated within the Caspian Sea, serving the ports of Dubendi, Aktau, Aladja, and Turkmenbashi. They were primarily engaged in the transportation of various types of crude oil,
including Tengiz, Cheleken, Okarem and Buzachi, each with distinct specifications.
Embarked on voyages across the Caspian Sea aboard tankers, even during challenging high-sea conditions. Made visits to railway stations along the Trans-Caucasian corridor as part of efforts to
enhance transportation optimization.
Learned Azerbaijani; a Turkic language from the Oghuz sub-branch.
2000
Promoted to the position of Planning Coordinator.
Responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations involving the delivery of Kazakh, Turkmen, and Azeri crude oil and petroleum products from the Caspian Sea to world markets. The
role included tasks such as contract drafting, client and sub-contractor relations, financial management, tanker and railcar chartering, storage and port operations, sales and
marketing and addressing technical, environmental, social and legal issues.
Traveled to Europe, Turkey, and FSU (Former Soviet Union) countries to participate in business development meetings and attend seminars and conferences related to transportation and commodity
trading.
Learned Russian language.
2001
In early 2001, restructured Caspian TransCo Shipping Inc. as a spin-off from our parent company, Caspian TransCo Inc. along with a team of 7 managers.
Together, we identified a range of opportunities in regional logistics and successfully transported non-oil commodities, including metals and grains such as alumina, ore and wheat
between Central Asia and the Mediterranean region via the Black Sea.
Had the privilege of exploring the picturesque regions of Azerbaijan and delving deeper into the country's rich history and vibrant culture.
2002
Joined Azpetrol Oil Company - a prominent conglomerate based in Baku, Azerbaijan in the early 2000’s.
The company had diversified operations across oil and gas midstream and downstream sectors, including port and storage terminal operations, railway transportation, shipping, commodity trading and petrol stations. Throughout my time with the group, I held multiple executive-level roles, overseeing various subsidiaries and joint ventures within this dynamic organization.
Day-to-day management of trading and transportation operations.
In charge of overseeing the construction of a new sea port and storage facility in Sangachal, Azerbaijan and a feasibility study for the development of a storage terminal near Supsa, Georgia,
in the Black Sea region.
2003
Assumed the role of Projects Coordinator.
Represented Azpetrol in a JV with Eupec, Germany, to construct a pipe-coating plant near Baku port, specifically for the BP-led offshore Shah Deniz Natural Gas field.
Supervised the delivery of 25,000 sub-sea pipe sections from Dunkirk, France, to Baku, Azerbaijan. This involved coordinating canal-type ships navigating through the Russian inland
waterway system.
Played a vital role in establishing a JV between Azpetrol and Demirören Group, a Turkish LPG supplier, with the goal of supplying and marketing LPG in Azerbaijan and other Caspian
states.
Chartered and managed ships and supervised inspections for the procurement of new crude oil and product tankers intended for operations in the Caspian Sea.
2004
Invited to Turkey to lead the development of Trans-Thrace Pipeline Project.
Traveled to Azerbaijan, Russian Federation, Kazakshtan and Uzbekistan for business development purposes.
Visited Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Ningbo for the establishment of a joint venture with a Chinese partner.
Graduated from Koç University, Executive MBA Program.
Invited to join Global Union Energy Ventures, a Gibraltar based investment advisory boutique and an investment bank licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain.
Global Union was established by Jeffrey M. Waterous, a renowned Oil & Gas M&A Advisor from Waterous & Co. Global Union offered financial advisory and private placement services with a
focus on energy infrastructure projects, encompassing both existing and greenfield ventures, in regions spanning Black Sea & Caspian, Middle East & North Africa and South Asia & Far East.
2006
Managing Director of Global Union Energy Ventures.
In addition to its headquarters in Gibraltar, Global Union opened satellite offices in London, Bahrain, Delhi, Jakarta, Istanbul, Baku, and Almaty. I had the responsibility of
establishing and managing the branches in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
Relocated to Baku, Azerbaijan and Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Proactively reached out to major oil and gas companies and visited their oil and gas fields in the Caspian and Central Asia regions.
2007
Originated over $1 billion worth project finance and financial restructuring advisory mandates for the company.
Advisory services to a global tanker owner in securing financing for the construction of their new very large crude carriers (VLCC) fleet in South Korea.
Consulted a Mediterranean ship owner for the financial restructuring of their debt obligations.
Traveled globally for business development and had the opportunity to participate in numerous oil and gas conferences, seminars and private gatherings.
Had the honor of being invited to the 3rd OPEC Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, held on November 17-18, 2007. This historic event was marked by the participation of heads of state and
governments from member countries.
2008
Mobilization efforts in more than 20 countries to explore oil and gas project financing opportunities, and during this process, I established valuable relationships on a global scale.
Played a key role in a $6 billion project finance deal for the construction of a 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery in Java, Indonesia.
Took part in negotiations for a substantial crude oil supply agreement involving two OPEC member countries.
2009
After years of an exceptionally demanding work and travel schedule - I decided to take a one-year break and resettled in Istanbul, Turkey.
Throughout the year, I embarked on regular journeys and focused solely on overseeing the sale of Chateau de Saint Germain Beaupre, an officially recognized historic landmark situated in the
idyllic countryside of France.
2010
Consultancy services to an investment group in Astana, Kazakhstan for the development and sale of their commercial real estate project in Istanbul, Turkey.
The project involved the development of a 33,000 m2 commercial complex consisting of three buildings, complete with amenities and underground parking, situated in the Golden Horn district of the Bosphorus in Istanbul. The property has been leased to reputable private universities ever since its completion.
2011
Decision to pursue a career as an «Independent Advisor» in the energy sector.
Advisory services to a Turkish group for their cross-border natural gas pipeline project spanning from east to west in Turkey.
The firm was established with the primary focus on designing and developing healthcare facilities.
2012
Advised a Singapore-based investment group for the development of their private real estate project in Bodrum, Turkey.
The endeavor encompassed the construction of private villas, complete with pools, as well as a social and fitness club featuring a spa, all nestled within a charming 10-acre waterfront property boasting stunning views of the Gökova Bay, renowned for its iconic blue voyages in the Aegean Sea.
2013
Honored to receive an invitation from the National Committee of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the World Petroleum Council to take the lead on a special project.
Conducted global lobbying efforts on behalf of the National Committee in over 50 countries worldwide to support Astana's candidacy for hosting the 2017 World Petroleum Congress.
Founded L’Energique Corp. in the state of Delaware, United States.
Petronium Architecture concluded the design work for the International Koru Hospital in Ankara, Turkey - covering an area of 43,000 sqm and a capacity of 200 beds.
2014
Consultation services to an oil and gas company based in Denver, USA, assisting them in the sale of their oil and gas fields located in the state of Wyoming.
Attended Spanish courses at the Institute of Cervantes in Istanbul, Turkey.
Established the branch of L’Energique Corp. in Istanbul, Turkey.
2015
Advisory services to a U.S.-based oil company regarding the potential acquisition of an offshore Black Sea natural gas field within the territorial waters of Turkey.
At Petronium Architecture, I participated in a study focused on establishing a sustainable Healthcare Free Zone planned to be located in Bodrum, Turkey.
This ambitious project would include hospitals, a healthcare university, medical research laboratories, hotels, a cruise terminal, a congress center, residential areas and sports
facilities.
2016
Retained by a Hong Kong-based family office to assess the feasibility of their potential investment in a Coalbed Methane project in the Republic of Georgia.
Engaged in trading crude oil (WTI and Brent) futures, options and CFDs during the downturn and subsequent recovery phase of the oil markets, coinciding with the resolution of the battle for oil price supremacy between OPEC and shale players.
2017
Advisory services to a Turkish conglomerate to facilitate their entry into Albania by acquiring a fuel marking business and exploring additional opportunities in the oil and gas sector within
the Balkans region.
Consultancy services to LPG traders in the FSU region and Turkey to assist in the development of new LPG supply routes.
Provided consultation to a shipyard located on the Black Sea coast in Turkey, focusing on international business development initiatives.
2018
Conducted a market research for a Turkish group, offering valuable insights into the global LNG industry and performing a comprehensive analysis of the potential development of a liquefaction
facility and an FSRU project in Turkey.
Turkey is uniquely positioned between natural gas-rich exporting nations such as the Russian Federation, Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq and the newly discovered gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean and the high-demand European market. Leveraging its existing cross-border natural gas pipelines, Turkey has the potential to become a key hub for liquefying and re-exporting gas to Europe and global markets in the form of LNG.
2019
Advisory services to an international group concerning their potential divestment of upstream oil and gas assets in West Africa.
Petronium provided consultation to a private real estate developer in the Republic of Kazakhstan regarding their involvement in a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) initiative aimed at developing a 250,000 m2 comprehensive city hospital in the city of Almaty. This facility, designed to accommodate a minimum of 1,000 beds, was intended to feature specialized medical branches in areas such as maternity and pediatrics, cardiovascular care, oncology, neurology and orthopedics along with provisions for physical therapy and rehabilitation.
2020
Pandemic lockdown and travel restrictions.
Devoted a substantial portion of time to technical reading on subjects like climate change, net-zero emissions and decarbonization. Such a deepened knowledge base expanded the skill set and introduced a new layer to my advisory services.
The Energy Technologies and Management Master Program for Executives is a rigorous one-year program that covers essential subjects including electricity markets, project management,
regulations, finance and climate change management.
2022
Completed the Energy Technologies and Management for Executives Master's program at Sabancı University with highest distinction of Summa Cum Laude (4.00 GPA).
Petronium Architecture expanded its presence into Portugal and established its second office in Faro, Algarve.
2023
Advisory services to players in the Turkish biofuels sector, supporting them in growing the domestic market and trading of their products within the high-demand European biofuels industry.
At L’Energique Corp., working on the development of an online SaaS platform aimed at promoting investment opportunities in the global energy markets with the objective of reaching net-zero
emissions by the year 2050.