The creation of the gas industry in Azerbaijan began in the early 1920s. In order to develop and centrally manage this sector, an auxiliary department for gas production and processing was established in 1923 under the Commodity Department of the “Azneft” Production Association. In 1936, the “AzGaz” trust was established, and in February 1958, the “Basqaz” Department was organized under the Ministry of Communal Economy of the Azerbaijan SSR.
During the first leadership of the great leader Heydar Aliyev in Azerbaijan - in August 1969, “Basqaz” was transformed into the “Basqaz” Department under the Government. In 1983, the State Gasification Committee was established on the basis of this department. In 1989, the Committee was merged with the Azerbaijan State Fuel Committee. After the collapse of the USSR - in 1992, the Azerbaijan State Fuel Committee, the “Azerigaznaql” Production Association and the Azerbaijan Scientific Research Project Institute established the “Azerigaz” State Company. In 1996, the “Azerigaz” Closed Joint Stock Company was established.
In July 2009, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Improvement of Management Mechanisms of the Oil and Gas Industry”, the “Azerigaz” Closed Joint Stock Company was reorganized and transferred to the structure of SOCAR. The organization currently continues its activities as the “Azerigaz” Production Association within SOCAR.
The Association receives natural gas from supply points, distributes it and sells it throughout the country. For this purpose, a complex gas distribution system consisting of gas control stations and lockers, pipelines, as well as numerous technical and technological facilities has been established in the country.
Currently, with 12 regional offices and more than 10 thousand employees, the Union, which carries out gasification and repair and construction works throughout the country and organizes the sale of natural gas, supplies more than 2.7 million consumers with natural gas.
SOCAR and the Union are constantly working to renew the country's gas industry in accordance with modern requirements and international standards, and new projects are being implemented.
