The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has announced the launch of a new gas training programme intended to improve the safety of supply-side operations.

The training programme is being carried out by SOCAR's subsidiary Azeriqaz and begun with a training session for managers, safety engineers and other executives responsible for supply services in Baku, the nation's capital.

According to the state news agency ABC, the training session covered areas such checkout procedure and technical examination of gas lines, gas economy, provision of safety and safety requirements when using gas equipment facilities.

SOCAR has also recently entered into a training and supply memorandum of understanding with PetroVietnam that will pave the way for greater cooperation between the two state firms.

The agreement was signed during a state visit from Vietnam's deputy prime minister Hoang Trung Hai earlier this month.

In addition to training and technology sharing, the agreement also covered long-term crude supply contracts.

Getenergy for Russia & CIS, 19th – 20th May 2010 - Moscow