Data on oil production within the Apsheron peninsula is known from the VII century. In the VI century pit method was widely used. In 1723 by the order of Peter the Great a ton of “white oil” was delivered from Baku to Moscow to be used by the Major Moscow pharmacy for preparing balms. In 1837 by project of mining engineer N.I.Voskobojnikov the first oil recovery factory in the Caucasus (Balkhany) was constructed. Kerosene was obtained using new technologies. Later businessman V.A.Kokorev built the second factory in the Surukhan which production became competitor to American kerosene. In 1871 the first drilling machine for percussion-rod drilling was assembled and began to work. In two years first well gave first oil. From 1876 Baku turns into the largest industrial region with the help of famous entrepreneurs Nobel brothers, Robert and Ludwig. By initiative of Ludwig Nobel first Russian oil-producing company “Comradeship of oil-producing of Nobel brothers”. The company drilled 500 wells for 25 years, obtained more than 20 mln ton of oil with the quantity of employees more than 12000 people. Almost 90% of the obtained Russian oil was delivered from 2 giant fields – Bibi-Eibat and Balkhany – Sabunchi-Ramany. The founder of the company Ludwig Nobel attracted talented scientists, engineers, researchers into his business. Famous Russian scientist – chemist D.I.Mendeleev was initiator of diversified usage of oil as a chemical material, not only as fuel. Engineer-constructor V.G.Shukhov made calculations and was in charge of the first Russian oil pipeline construction; he was the first to propose the new type of oil processing – cracking. Under his guidance first steel oil barge was projected and constructed, first riveted steel reservoirs for oil storage were built. He was the author of a witty decision of active pipelines throughout increasing. Ludwig Nobel – outstanding manufacturer, inventor and founder of civil socially oriented business in Russia – died 31st of March, 1888, in Cannes. He was 57 from which 46 years he lived in Russia. In honor of L.I.Nobel Russian technical society created a grand meeting on March 31st, 1889. At this meeting government of “Comradeship of petroleum production of Nobel brothers” establishes the gold medal and prize by the name of Ludwig Nobel.

This presentation is based on work co-authored by Elena Poludetkina.