Oil Rocks are located 110 km east of Baku and 50 km southeast of Pirallahi Island, in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. Often referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world,” Oil Rocks is now a modern settlement built on stilts.

The earliest references to the presence of oil in the Caspian Sea date back to the 18th century. Academician Otto Wilhelm Hermann Abich reported on the natural fuel resources of Oil Rocks as early as 1863. Research continued throughout the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th century. During sessions of the Azerbaijan branch of the former USSR Academy of Sciences in 1943-1944, reports were presented on the existence of a large oil field on Pirallahi Island and oil occurrences on Chilov Island and at Black Rocks.

On November 14, 1948, geologist Aghagurban Aliyev, skilled drilling specialist Yusif Safarov, and Sabit Orujov, along with other members of the oil workers' detachment, arrived in the Oil Rocks region aboard the “Pobeda” tugboat, captained by the experienced Azhdar Sadikhov, after facing significant challenges. They stepped onto one of the rocky outcrops from the water after disembarking. The oil workers placed several bags of cement on a large black stone to test whether the water would wash them away. When they returned to the site about two weeks later, they found the cement bags completely dry. It was only after this, in December 1948, that the first group of marine builders was sent from Pirallahi Island to the Black Rocks aboard the "Transportnik" (“Transporter”) ship. A 14-square-meter “living quarters” was constructed on the small islet for the drilling crew, and a radio station was established to maintain round-the-clock communication with the shore.

In June 1949, preparations began to drill the first well on the island. To create an operational field for the drilling work, the decommissioned ship "Chvanov" was transported to Black Rocks and submerged at the designated location marked by the oil workers, where it began to serve as a stationary platform.

On August 24, 1949, the experienced drilling master Mikhail Kaverochkin’s team began drilling the world’s first offshore well, 40 kilometers from the coast and 90 kilometers from Baku. On November 7 of the same year, the well struck its first oil gusher at 942 meters, producing over 100 tons daily. This marked the beginning of offshore oil extraction in the history of global oil production and transformed "Black Rocks" into "Oil Rocks." The unique aspect of developing the "Oil Rocks" field lies in introducing innovative methods never used elsewhere. Consequently, Oil Rocks was recognized as the first offshore platform in the Guinness World Records.

In the early 1950s, to protect the island from winds and waves, an additional six ships decommissioned from the “Khazartanker” and “Khazardonanma” facilities were brought here and partially submerged, creating an artificial harbor around the island. The cabins and holds of the ships were repurposed for the drilling team for use as a cafeteria, medical station, sleeping quarters, and other needs. The original name of this location, “Seven Ships Island,” is derived from this. Later, this artificial island settlement became known as “Oil Rocks.”

The drilling of the second well began on December 19, 1949, and in the first half of 1950, this well also yielded an oil gusher. The first two wells confirmed the existence of huge oil reserves in the Oil Rocks region. On December 1, 1949, the "Azerdenizneft" Production Association was established to engage in offshore drilling, oil extraction, and construction. This decision also founded the "Denizneftlayiha" State Scientific Research Design Institute. Additionally, the “Bashdenizneft” All-Union Production Association was formed within the USSR Ministry of Oil Industry, with the prominent organizer of the oil industry, Sabit Orujov, appointed as the first head of the association and also as the deputy minister of the USSR Oil Industry. 

From then on, exploration drilling and construction activities at Oil Rocks gained significant momentum. In December 1950, wells drilled by the teams of Neftchi Gurban and Mikhail Kaverochkin began producing oil. On February 18, 1951, the first tanker filled with oil was dispatched from Oil Rocks.

Since 1951, construction of piers and sites, hydraulic structures, communication lines, and production and residential facilities has begun in Oil Rocks. This marked the start of establishing a unique city known as Oil Rocks, which has no parallels anywhere else. Built on steel pillars, this city, even at that time and still today, is truly extraordinary and continues to amaze the world.

The development history of Oil Rocks is closely linked to Heydar Aliyev's name. During his leadership of our republic in the former Soviet era, he consistently valued the work of offshore oil workers, made multiple visits to Oil Rocks, familiarized himself with the situation on-site, issued specific instructions for resolving existing issues, and kept matters under his supervision. The tasks set forth by the Great Leader during the 25th anniversary of Oil Rocks before the oil workers were truly of historical significance. At that time, oil fields at depths of up to 40 meters in the Caspian Sea had already been discovered. The Great Leader proposed leveraging existing scientific knowledge to develop the oil and gas industry and initiating work at depths exceeding 100 meters. The oil workers received this initiative with great enthusiasm, and soon, by utilizing the experience gained from the exploitation of Oil Rocks, significant fields such as "Gunashli," "Chirag," and "Azeri" were discovered, which play an exceptional role in strengthening Azerbaijan's economy today. The attention and care of the National Leader played a crucial role in equipping the oil extraction industry with modern infrastructure. At that time, the only specialized Oil Fleet in the former USSR was established in Baku. It was outfitted with over ten semi-submersible and jack-up drilling rigs of the "Caspian" and "Shelf" types, as well as seismic and engineering-geological research vessels, crane and pipelaying ships, passenger and supply vessels, and other equipment and machinery essential for efficiently carrying out operations in the deeper waters of the sea. Using his influence, Heydar Aliyev succeeded in establishing the Deep Water Jacket Factory in Azerbaijan, which now proudly carries his name and successfully undertakes the construction of offshore oil and gas platforms. The National Leader remarked on the historical significance of the work being done during that time, stating: “Oil Rocks serve as a bridge from the 20th century to the 21st century. The material and scientific foundation of the new oil strategy was established precisely with Oil Rocks.” Many industrial and socially significant facilities that ensure harmonious operation of the Oil Rocks were constructed during the years when the National Leader Heydar Aliyev led the republic. The successful service of these facilities to our independent state today is a testament to Heydar Aliyev's vision. The oil and gas industry complex established under his leadership and care continues to support Azerbaijan's existence and strengthening as an independent nation, contributing to the successes of the new Oil Strategy implemented resolutely by President Ilham Aliyev.

Today, Oil Rocks features residential buildings, a helicopter pad, a medical and sanitary unit, shops, and other facilities. Trees have been planted on steel trestles, and a park has been established. Oil Rocks can be reached from Baku by boat or helicopter.

Oil Rocks is a strategic communication and infrastructure hub connecting Azerbaijan's various oil fields. Up to 70% of SOCAR's annual oil and gas production is transferred to the coast from this location. The extracted oil is heated in specialized furnaces to temperatures between 35-40°C, then transported directly to the coast via pipelines that exceed 70 km in length, reaching the Dubandi terminal. From there, it is directed for export or processing. Over the years, Oil Rocks has transformed into a monumental production and living complex, constructing over 180 km of trestles, setting up more than 320 production sites, and laying hundreds of kilometers of oil, gas, and water pipelines.

Several films have been produced about Oil Rocks, including the documentary "Oil Rocks," as well as titles like "Island of Wonders," "Black Stones," "A Tale of Caspian Oil Men," "Conquerors of the Sea," "Miracle at the Sea," "Two Caspians," "City on Steel Pillars," and "Oil Rocks: City Above the Sea," among others. Some scenes from the film “The World Is Not Enough” from the James Bond adventure series were filmed here. World-renowned composers Gara Garayev, Tofig Guliyev, and Vagif Mustafazadeh have dedicated pieces to the Oil Rocks. Sattar Bahlulzadeh, Maral Rahmanzadeh, and Tahir Salahov have depicted this island of wonders in paintings.

Recommended literature:

1. Mir-Babayev, Mir-Yusif. Azərbaycan neftinin qısa tarixi / M. F. Mir-Babayev ; elmi red.: X. B. Yusifzadə, R. Şükürov. II kitab. - Bakı : n. y., 2015. - 336 s.
2. Atakişiyev, Müşviq Cəmil oğlu. Azərbaycanın yeni neft siyasəti və iqtisadi yükşəliş / M. C. Atakişiyev ; elmi red. Z. Ə. Səmədzadə. - Bakı : Azərbaycan nəşriyyatı, 2004. - 264 s.
3. Mirzəyev, Ramiz Şəmşəd oğlu. Heydər Əliyev və müstəqil Azərbaycan dövlətinin yeni neft strategiyası = Heydar Aliyev and new oil strategy of independent Azerbaijan / R. Ş. Mirzəyev ; red. B. Y. Sadıqov ; tərc. R. Ə. İsayev. - Bakı : Göytürk, 1999. - 157 s.
4. İqtisadiyyat və neft : Heydər Əliyevin yeni neft strategiyasının reallaşmasında İlham Əliyevin xidmətləri / red. N. Süleymanov. - Bakı : Nurlan, 2004. - 234 s.
5. Heydər Əliyev Azərbaycanın müasir neft emalı sənayesinin yaradıcısıdır / red. B. Y. Sadıqov ; bur. məsul R. Ş. Mirzəyev. - Bakı : [n. y.], 2001. - 124 s.
6. Atakişiyev, Müşviq Cəmil oğlu. Azərbaycanın yeni neft siyasəti və iqtisadi yükşəliş / M. C. Atakişiyev ; elmi red. Z. Ə. Səmədzadə. - Bakı : Azərbaycan nəşriyyatı, 2004. - 264 s.