| Name | Vagit Yusufovich Alekperov |
| Date of birth (Age) | September 1, 1950 (now 69) |
| Place of Birth | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| Nationality | Azerbaijani |
| Citizenship | Russian |
| Marital status, children | married, has a son |
| Field of activity | oil industry |
| Condition, $ | 20.7 billion (2019) |
This man is often compared to the “godfather” who came out of the pages of Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name. However, Vagit Alekperov did not earn his billions in a gangster way. Having gone through all the steps from a simple oil worker to the head of a major concern, the oligarch really earned the title of “oil king” of Russia.
Childhood and parents of Vagit Alekperov
The first stage of the biography of Vagit Yusufovich Alekperov cannot be called rosy. Even in early childhood, a simple Baku boy learned the hardships of poverty. Born on September 1, 1950 in the capital of Azerbaijan, Vagit became the fifth child in the family of a former oil worker who held a position in the Baku Executive Committee, and a Russian Cossack woman who played the role of a housewife.
Having lost his father at the age of three, the boy came under the full care of his mother. Receiving a meager pension, Tatyana Fedorovna fruitlessly tried to provide her children with a decent existence. The family's financial situation improved somewhat when Zuleikha, one of Vagit's older sisters, got a job at a local oil production company. Soon, Nelya, also the sister of the future oligarch, also began to supplement the family budget by privately teaching violin.
As a future man, Vagit could not leave family problems aside. Ignoring the games and joys of life of his peers, he made his contribution by supplying his relatives with fish that he personally caught in the waters of the Caspian Sea.
Child labor did not come at the expense of education. Vagit did not stop attending school, showed a thirst for knowledge and was known as an exemplary student. It was during these years that Alekperov’s valuable character traits emerged: hard work, perseverance and concern for his neighbor.
Vagit Yusufovich Alekperov
As the son of an oil worker and the brother of a girl involved in the oil industry, the young man did not think long about choosing a profession. “Black gold” became his destiny.
Notes[ | ]
- Munzinger Archiv (German) - 1913.
- Alekperov turned out to be a shareholder of Spartak (unspecified)
.
www.forbes.ru
. Forbes (January 10, 2019). Retrieved January 10, 2020. - ↑ 12345
20 richest Russian businessmen. Forbes rating | Billionaires (Russian). Forbes.ru (March 5, 2019). Retrieved April 15, 2020. - ↑ 1 2 3
Biography and facts
(unspecified)
.
Forbes.ru
. Retrieved April 15, 2020. - ↑ 123456
Alekperov, Vagit (Russian), Lentapedia (03/12/2009). - ↑ 12345678
Vagit Yusufovich Alekperov. Biographical information (Russian), RIA Novosti (12/03/2009). - Alekperov Vagit Yusufovich (Russian), RosBusinessConsultin.
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 Inga Rostovtseva
.
A man plays the trumpet. — Profile
, 07/17/2000. — No. 27(199) - ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Peter Maas
.
The triumph of the “quiet tycoon”. Part one. — The New York Times (trans. InoSMI.Ru)
, 02.08.2004 - Peter Maass
.
The triumph of the “quiet tycoon”. Part two. — The New York Times, trans.
InoSMI.Ru , 08/03/2004 - ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Snezhana Bartul
.
Concert for Alekperov and trumpet. — Kommersant
, 11/13/2000 - ↑ 1 2 3 4 5
Biography of Vagit Alekperov: aka the line of fate.
— Topic of the day
, 09/26/2002 - ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Captains of Russian business 1/3.
— Topic of the day
, 02/28/2001 - ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6
Honorary citizens of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug.
Vagit Alekperov. — Official website of government authorities of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug - ↑ 1 2 3 4 5
Vagit Alekperov was re-elected president of OAO LUKOIL.
— LUKOIL (lukoil.ru)
, 06.28.2006 - All Khanty-Mansiysk. - Kommersant
, 05/23/2000. — No. 20 - ↑ 1 2 3 Alexander Tutushkin
.
“The Chinese have more opportunities than us.” — Vedomosti
, 08/31/2006. — No. 162 (1689) - History of the company. 1991-2000. — Website of OJSC "Lukoil"
- List of members of the Board of Directors. Alekperov Vagit Yusufovich. — OJSC LUKOIL
- On the procedure for the activities of proxies of candidates for the position of president... - Innovative projects of small businesses
, 02/26/1996. — No. 79/643-II - Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation “On approval of the composition of the Government Commission on Issues of the Commonwealth of Independent States” dated January 28, 1997 (as amended on April 22, 1997, February 2, 1998). — RAIN.
Government documents , 02/02/1998. — N 85 - Vera Surzhenko
.
Joint purchase. — Vedomosti
, 05/13/2008. — No. 85 (2107) - Business assets of Vagit Alekperov. Help (undefined)
.
RIA Novosti
(March 12, 2009). Retrieved April 15, 2020. - Vagit Alekperov was confirmed as president of LUKOIL for another five years. — RIA Novosti
, 06/23/2011 - Alekperov increased his stake in LUKOIL, purchasing shares for almost 1 billion rubles, Interfax
(March 16, 2020). - Alekperov increased his stake in Lukoil to 3.1%, TASS
(March 16, 2020). - Top 10 rich people in the world with business in Belarus
- Spartak now has an official owner (unspecified)
. - Bushueva Y., Novolodskaya S.
Alekperov revealed his cards Archival copy dated September 13, 2008 on the Wayback Machine.
// Vedomosti
. — No. 130 (693). — July 26, 2002. - Vagit Alekperov
- 200 richest businessmen in Russia - 2020 (unspecified)
. Forbes (04/16/2015). Retrieved April 16, 2020. - The richest people in Russia Forbes 2020 (unspecified)
. - 200 richest businessmen in Russia - 2020. Forbes ranking. Photo | Billionaires | Forbes.ru (Russian). www.forbes.ru. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- The power of business. Forbes has compiled the first rating of influential Russians. Photo | Business | Forbes.ru (Russian). www.forbes.ru. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- The XI Congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs again elected Arkady Volsky as President of the Union. - Finmarket
, 10/07/2000 - Pugachev was asked. — Company
, 02/04/2003. — No. 250 - Representatives of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and a number of federal departments joined the new board of the RSPP. - Prime-TASS
, 04/18/2006 - John Distaso
.
Retired general backs Clinton on Iraq. — Union Leader
, 10/06/2007 - President of OAO LUKOIL Vagit Alekperov received an award for his services in the field of development of corporate citizenship. — LUKOIL (lukoil.ru)
, 05/27/2005 - WHAT ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENT WE LOSE IN BOLSHOE AFANASYEVSKY
- Mint of Vagit Alekperov/ Russian philanthropist
- Alekperov will transfer Lukoil shares to a charitable foundation/Forbes Russia
- ↑ 12
BIOGRAPHY - VAGIT ALEKPEROV on finparty.ru - Putin awarded oligarchs and heads of state companies for the Olympics
- Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated June 10, 2010 No. 697
- Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of September 1, 2005 No. 1022 (inaccessible link)
- Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of September 1, 1995 No. 892 (inaccessible link)
- Alexander Zhilkin awarded the Order of Merit to the Astrakhan Region to the President / official website of the Government of the Astrakhan Region
- Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of September 1, 2010 No. 446 “On awarding V. Yu. Alekperov with the Order of Friendship of Peoples”
- Decree of the President of Moldova No. 703 of June 5, 2002 “On awarding Mr. Vagit Alekperov with the Order of Gloria Muncii”
- Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on awarding the Order of “Sharaf” to V. Yu. Alekperov
- Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated August 29, 2000 No. 390 “On awarding V. Yu. Alekperov with the Order of Glory”
- Vagit Alekperov was awarded the highest state award of Kazakhstan
- The President presented awards
- Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated August 29, 2020 “On awarding Alekperov V.Yu. with the Order “Dustlik”
- Vagit Alekperov was awarded the Order of Merit for the Italian Republic
- V. Alekperov was awarded the Belgian Order
- Order of the President of the Russian Federation of October 24, 2017 No. 369-rp “On promotion”
- ↑ 12
Order of the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh. personal lists 1978-2005. - M., 2006. - P. 87. - 495 p. — 500 copies. — ISBN 5-98738-031-6. - President of OAO LUKOIL V. Yu. Alekperov became an Honorary Professor of VolSU
- ↑ 1 2 Alexander Tutushkin
. “My mission is not over yet,” - Vagit Alekperov, President // Vedomosti, 09/02/2010, No. 164 (2862) - Vagit Alekperov
- Alekperov does not consider Spartak’s performance in the current RFPL season unsuccessful
. TASS (October 4, 2017). Retrieved May 13, 2020. - Andrey Baranovsky.
The first private museum of numismatics was opened in Moscow.
The collection is based on more than 5 thousand items from the collection of Vagit Alekperov (unspecified)
. Nezavisimaya Gazeta (10/16/2015). - Ivan Prosvetov.
Historical moment: how Vagit Alekperov became a numismatist
(undefined)
. Forbes (12/22/2015). - A company associated with Alekperov bought the former vineyards of Massandra (unspecified)
. Forbes Russia (May 25, 2016). Retrieved May 31, 2020. - A company associated with Alekperov bought the former vineyards of Massandra (unspecified)
. RBC (March 25, 2016). Retrieved May 31, 2020.
Education
The source of Vagit Alekperov’s higher education was the Baku AzINNEFTEKHIM named after. Azizbekova. At this university, from 1969 to 1974, the young man studied to become a mining engineer. Changing between day and evening classes, the student managed to combine study with work. Since 1972, he performed the duties of a driller on the oil platforms of Kaspmorneft.
The diploma received from the Azerbaijan Institute of Oil and Chemistry is not the only one Alekperov has to his credit. A dissertation on the development of oil companies written in 1998 earned him a doctorate in economics, and in 2014 Vagit Yusufovich became a professor at VolSU.
The whole truth about AlekperovTRADE UNION OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
Translated from Azerbaijani, “Vagit” means “the only one.” Vagit Alekperov is a living personification of those mysterious powers with which our distant ancestors endowed human names. He is the first and only president of an oil and gas company, which was the first Russian company to become transnational. Alik the First - this respectful nickname was assigned to Alekperov in his youth.
Among his neighbors on the list of the richest Russians, Vagit Alekperov also stands out in a special way. He is perhaps one of the few Russian billionaires whose name is not associated with high-profile political and economic scandals. Even the merciless denouncers of Russian oligarchs make him stand out from the crowd. The editor of the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, Paul Klebnikov, once called Vagit Alekperov “the Rockefeller of modern Russia,” putting into this definition the entire palette of emotions that this man evokes. “Through cunning, brutal pressure and thinly disguised bribery, he creates a world-class oil company out of chaos.”
It is also probably difficult to find a biography in history that would be similar to the story of Vagit Alekperov himself.
Like many other Russian billionaires, Vagit Alekperov almost overnight became the owner of a huge piece of state property. But few people would dare to call Alekperov a “grabber”, an adventurer who got involved in the division of the state pie in time. Alekperov is no coincidence in the oil and gas industry. Behind him are many years of successful work in the industry, where he started from the very bottom, experience, and respect from oil workers. Objectively speaking, the socio-economic crisis of the early 90s gave Alekperov the opportunity to fully realize his talents and capabilities.
The story of the growth of Vagit Alekperov’s business empire is not just impressive. It completely refutes the idea of Russian billionaires as exploiters and temporary workers who managed to snatch a piece of national wealth and squander it by building personal palaces and burning through money.
For those who like to peek through keyholes, Vagit Alekperov is of no interest. Brought up on the best ideals of Soviet society - hard work, honesty, decency, modesty, he is completely unsuited to the role of a “crazy millionaire”, a maniacal sociopath, a totalitarian head of a large corporation. Alekperov is a good family man. I met my wife when I was a simple Soviet specialist. Larisa Alekperova and her husband went through all the hardships of rotational camps and Western Siberian oil fields.
Alekperov gained a reputation as an “inconspicuous oligarch.” Moreover, it is precisely this “invisibility” that many are inclined to consider as one of the keys to Alekperov’s stability, the stability of his affairs and the solidity of his company’s position in modern Russia.
Career and business of Vagit Alekperov
Vagit Yusufovich had the opportunity to taste oil during his student years, while working part-time at Kaspromneft Production Association. After receiving his diploma in 1974, the young specialist connected his career with this enterprise for 5 years. Having received the position of operator at NGDU named after. Serebrovsky, Alekperov soon heads the shift. The next steps completed are master of oil and gas production and the position of chief engineer. The future oligarch ended his career at Kaspmorneft as deputy head of the oil field.
Personal life[ | ]
Vagit Alekperov is married, his wife is Larisa Viktorovna Alekperova. In 1990, his son Yusuf was born, who graduated from the Russian State University of Oil and Gas in 2012. Gubkin, specializing in “development and operation of oil fields”[61].
In his free time, he prefers to communicate with friends, travel[62], and play tennis; prefers to vacation in Crimea[61]. He is a fan of the Spartak football club[63].
Vagit Alekperov’s hobby is numismatics. The existence of the collection was confirmed in October 2020; its exact composition is unknown, but, according to some sources, it is one of the three largest private collections in Russia[64]. According to Forbes, the private Alekperov Numismatics Museum displays more than 700 coins, which is about a quarter of the entire collection. It mainly consists of gold coins, from antiquity to modern Russia, a certain number of silver coins, as well as several platinum coins of the Russian Empire[65].
Condition of Vagit Alekperov
The third on today's list of the richest people in Russia, Vagit Alekperov was first featured in Forbes in 1996. Having published a photo of the entrepreneur, the magazine estimated his fortune at $3.6 billion. In 2002, the oil king’s annual salary was about one and a half million dollars. Bonuses exceeding $3.3 million were added to this amount. Now Lukoil shares bring fabulous profits to the oligarch. In January 2020 alone, the businessman increased his capital by 0.9 billion. Today’s rise in oil prices promises a bright future for the businessman.
Alekperov’s achievements in business can be judged by the information published annually by Forbes (year – $ billion/place in Russia/place in the world):
- 2009 – 17,8/-/27.
- 2010 – 20,6/7/28.
- 2011 – 23,9/8/20.
- 2012 – 23,5/5/26.
- 2013 – 14,8/5/55.
- 2014 – 13,6/7/76.
- 2015 – 12/6/96.
- 2016 – 8,9/9/124.
- 2017 – 14,5/6/74.
- 2018 – 16,4/4/74.
- 2019 – 20,7/3.
Awards[ | ]
Awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree. July 31, 2014
- Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree (2014) - for his great contribution to the socio-economic development of Russia
[44]. - Order of Merit for the Fatherland, III degree (June 10, 2010) - for his great contribution to the development of the oil and gas complex and many years of conscientious work
[45]. - Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree (September 1, 2005) - for his great contribution to the development of the fuel and energy complex
[46]. - Order of Friendship (September 1, 1995) - for services to the state and great contribution to the development of the fuel and energy complex
[47]. - Order of the Badge of Honor (1986)[6].
- Medal “For the development of subsoil and the development of the oil and gas complex of Western Siberia”[6].
- Order of Merit for the Astrakhan Region (Astrakhan Region, December 1, 2013)[48].
- Medal "For Services to the Stavropol Territory" (Stavropol Territory).
- Order of Friendship of Peoples (Belarus, September 1, 2010) - for significant contribution to the development of Belarusian-Russian trade and economic cooperation and assistance to integration processes
[49]. - Order of Labor Glory (Moldova, June 5, 2002) - for special merits in the development of relations of friendship and cooperation between the Russian and Moldavian peoples and significant contribution to the restoration of historical and cultural monuments of the Republic of Moldova
[50]. - Order of Honor (Azerbaijan, August 30, 2010) - for services in the development of mutual relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation
[51]. - Order of Glory (Azerbaijan, August 29, 2000) - for great services in the development of economic relations between Azerbaijan and Russia
[52][5][6]. - Order "Dostyk" 1st degree (Kazakhstan, September 6, 2019)[53]
- Order "Dostyk" II degree (Kazakhstan, 2010)[54].
- Order of Friendship (Uzbekistan, August 29, 2020) - for a great contribution to the development of the oil and gas complex and increasing the efficiency of use of hydrocarbon resources of Uzbekistan, introducing advanced, innovative technologies into the industry for the extraction and deep processing of raw materials, increasing the export potential of our country, implementing large strategic projects and assistance in training highly qualified personnel for the republic
[55] - Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italy, 2009)[56].
- Commander of the Order of the Crown (Belgium, 2011)[57].
- Order of the Madara Horseman, 1st degree (Bulgaria, 2006)[5].
- Gratitude from the President of the Russian Federation (October 24, 2017) - for services in the development of entrepreneurship, active social activities and many years of conscientious work
[58]. - Twice laureate of the Government of the Russian Federation Prize[6].
- Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh I, II and III degrees (ROC)[59].
- Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow, II and III degrees (ROC)[59].
- Winner of the national business reputation award “Darin” of the Russian Academy of Business and Entrepreneurship in 2001.
- Title “Honorary Professor of Volgograd State University” in 2014[60].
Private life of Vagit Alekperov
As for the part of the biography about Vagit Alekperov’s personal life, here, as well as in business, he succeeded. His chosen one and life partner's name is Larisa Viktorovna. For more than 40 years, the couple have been faithful to each other.
Yusuf Alekperov - son
In 1990, his wife gave Vagit a son, who was named Yusuf. Continuing the family tradition, Alekperov’s son also connected his life with “black gold”. Yusuf’s wealth of knowledge includes a higher education received within the walls of the Russian State University of Oil and Gas. In addition, the young man has a diploma in economics and management.
The young man is a fan of expensive cars. He got married in 2020. His young wife's name is Alice. Photos of the young couple can often be seen on social media pages. Now Yusuf works in his father’s system and is considered one of the richest heirs in Russia.
Considering the incredible workload, and the working day of the oil “godfather” sometimes stretches to 14–15 hours, Vagit Yusufovich has little time left for hobbies. The billionaire is a famous numismatist and has one of the most expensive collections of rare coins. His hobbies include traveling, and as a sport, the oligarch prefers tennis.
Vagit Yusufovich founded the “Our Future” charitable foundation, where, according to the entrepreneur’s will, his share in Lukoil will be transferred. The organization's activities are aimed at developing social entrepreneurship. In addition, the oligarch is a member of the Skolkovo council.
In his biography, Vagit Alekperov’s activities have been awarded with many awards. Among them are orders and medals awarded by the governments of the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria. The billionaire is an honorary professor at Volgograd State University and a laureate of the national Darina award.
Alekperov Vagit Yusufovich
Quotes
My share in the capital of LUKOIL is my personal business. I am not selling LUKOIL shares, I am still buying more. December 6, 2005
State monopoly in any of its manifestations hinders the development of the Russian oil and gas complex. April 15, 2003
LUKOIL has strategic interests in Turkmenistan, which has significant hydrocarbon reserves. February 5, 2020
The New Energy Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2035 should be based on the fact that private and public companies operating in the Russian Federation have equal rights. February 17, 2014
In the long term, complex deposits will be developed in Russia, namely offshore, deep-submerged and low-productivity (shale). February 6, 2013
OPEC, due to political disagreements between cartel members, is no longer able to perform the function of a regulator and needs to be reformed. April 24, 2020
No, LUKOIL will not take part in the privatization of the state stake in Rosneft. October 31, 2020
The development of tax legislation remains critical for the industry
The desire to raise oil prices above $70/bbl is a “race for the mechanical bunny.” January 24, 2020
We want to become the most efficient and most profitable oil company in the world. December 6, 2005
Huge recoverable oil reserves still remain in the depths of Western Siberia - almost 18 billion tons
An important aspect is stability, predictability and equal treatment of all oil companies
With your approval, Vladimir Vladimirovich, we would begin a detailed study with the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation in order to begin to form infrastructure in the “bear coal” with a distance of 900 km to all cities and means of communication, which LUKOIL chose, having considered “some region where there was would be a white spot.” February 21, 2013
Our relationship with the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation boils down to the fact that we spend a long time and tediously developing a new tax reform, and after its implementation we only lose money... And if this leads to the loss of money, then it does not change anything. April 20, 2020
Everyone has their own understanding of the price of oil. $80 per barrel is already a high price
Huge recoverable oil reserves still remain in the depths of Western Siberia - almost 18 billion tons
Hide quotes Show all
Biography
Alekperov Vagit Yusufovich (Alekperov) is the head of the largest Russian vertically integrated oil company LUKOIL.
The company holds the world championship among private companies in oil reserves, almost 25% of Russian oil production, 14% of petroleum products production and the largest distribution network among Russian companies with 2.5 thousand gas stations).
Born in Baku on September 1, 1950, in the family of an Azerbaijani, Yusuf Karbala-ogly, and a Cossack, Tatyana Fedorova.
He was the 5th child in the family.
Vagit practically did not know his father; he died when his son was 3 years old. So the future owner of factories, newspapers, and ships was raised by his mother (she remained an indisputable authority for Vagit throughout his life) and older brothers.
No matter how strong a woman Alekperov’s mother was, it was not easy for her to raise five children alone. That’s why all her sons, not excluding the youngest, went to work early. In those years, Baku was the oil capital of the Union, the very atmosphere of the city was saturated with oil, and it is not surprising that Vagit began his career at a drilling rig. The active, hardworking management was pleased.
Combining work with study, in 1974 he graduated from the Azerbaijan Institute of Oil and Chemistry with a degree in Mining Engineer in technology and integrated mechanization of oil and gas field development. The next five years are an example of a dizzying career: starting as an oil and gas production operator, he soon became a process engineer, then a shift manager, a foreman, a senior engineer and, finally, a deputy oil field manager. How did Vagit Yusufovich manage to rise to such a high position in such a short time? He was just always a very purposeful person, and also had a great understanding of people.
Sibiriada
In 1979, such a new and promising place was Western Siberia. The deposits there were just beginning to be developed, there was room to develop oneself, to show oneself, there, if you hurry up and manage things correctly, you could make a career and earn such money as you never dreamed of in Azerbaijan. Which, in fact, is what Vagit Yusufovich did. He went to Siberia according to party orders. After working for five years in senior positions at Surgutneftegaz and Bashneft, in 1984 he pulled out his trump card. Senior managers, before whom Vagit Yusufovich always knew how to look good, considered that his candidacy, like no other, was suitable for the post of first general director of the Kogalymneftegaz association.
The general director of a new association (and in Kogalym at that time there was nothing but heated trailers) is, on the one hand, a huge responsibility: you need to develop deposits from scratch, and you are personally responsible for everything. On the other hand, this is a lot of money, which the country generously allocated for the Siberian oil industry, and practically unlimited power. The director of the field was in his territory a god, an autocrat, a judge, a father to soldiers, plus several other incarnations. What to say if the secretary of the district committee personally came to bow to the director Today, by the way, former Siberian autocrats are at the helm of most large oil companies.
Having headed Kogalymneftegaz, Alekperov became friends with other local autocrats. He developed the closest relationships with the general director of Urayneftegaz, Alexander Putilov, and the head of Langepasneftegaz, Yuri Shafranik. In a few years, these companies will merge into LUKOIL.
Garden City
At home in Kogalym, Alekperov developed frantic activity. He was noticed and in January 1990 he was transferred to Moscow and appointed Deputy Minister of the Oil and Gas Industry of the USSR. Alekperov became the youngest government official of this rank in the USSR. And already in 1991, from just a deputy, he turned into first deputy. In Siberia they joked that the position went to Vagit Yusufovich for building communism in a single city. By and large, this was partly true. Kogalym lived richer and more comfortable than other oil cities. No barracks, even at first Alekperov ordered the immediate construction of permanent housing, no payment by barter, only real money, excellent supplies, not that the population ate fresh strawberries all winter, but some apples could be bought. Plus great production successes, which were regularly reported to Moscow.
Oh, for the sake of production success Alekperov was ready to risk his life! The book by Pavel Khlebnikov describes the following case: In the city of oil workers, everyone knew Alekperov; His iron composure in the face of danger was legendary. One of the stories involves a major oil leak from an oil pipeline. Hot oil was gushing from the pipe; A repair team arrived with welding equipment, but did not start work, fearing that a spark could cause an explosion. Alekperov arrived, assessed the situation and lay down next to the pipe. Now brew, he ordered.
About friends and comrades...
Opinions still differ about who exactly protected Alekperov at that time. Perhaps the then head of the ministry, who also came from the Siberian autocrats, Leonid Filimonov, before receiving the ministerial portfolio, managed to work as director of Nizhnevartovskneftegaz (after perestroika, he became president of the Eastern Oil Company).
In collaboration with Filimonov, Alekperov gave birth to the idea and developed a detailed scheme for the so-called vertical integration of oil companies of vertically integrated oil companies (later it formed the basis of his doctoral dissertation). It was proposed to combine the entire chain of enterprises for the extraction, refining and sale of oil into a single holding. Strictly speaking, Alekperov and Filimonov did not invent anything particularly new. For example, the Italian state oil concern ENI has long worked according to the same scheme. Nevertheless, the idea was accepted with a bang, the holding was immediately created, and, of course, Vagit Yusufovich was put at the helm. So he became president of the LUKOIL oil concern.
Just as carefully as he chooses useful and influential friends, Alekperov chooses his employees. So, in order to better promote the company’s projects in neighboring countries, Vagit Yusufovich specially assembled an international top team. Almost all of the former republics are represented in LUKOIL. In general, Alekperov deals with personnel issues personally and does not even trust the first deputy. He has a special affection for former military men (perhaps this is due to their habit of unquestioningly obeying orders). At LUKOIL, almost a third of the employees are demobilized officers. At one time, Profile wrote about the following story: once the personnel department sent Alekperov to review the personal files of three people applying for vacant positions. Vagit Yusufovich summoned one of his deputies to consult. Opened the first case. Reads: Specialist, oil worker... Let's think about it. He takes the second folder: So, an oil worker, he worked in the company of so-and-so. No, I don't need this one. I finally got to the third: Military... Demobilized... Not a specialist... Let's take it. And we'll teach you the business.
Lobby
Thanks to the Decree of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, Vagit Alekperov gained control over the largest oil company LUKOIL. In 1996 Alekperov, in turn, was Boris Yeltsin’s confidant in the Tyumen region during the presidential elections. Among the people to whom Vagit Alekperov and LUKOIL are close are former Prime Minister and now Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ukraine Viktor Chernomyrdin and former First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Aksenenko.
Competitors
In October 2001 there was a conflict with Boris Berezovsky over 15% of the shares of the TV-6 television company owned by the non-state pension fund LUKOIL-Garant. For several years, Vagit Alekperov has been in extremely tense relations with the governor of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Vladimir Butov. Butov expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that LUKOIL is taking control of more and more fields, becoming a monopolist, and at the same time is not actively developing these reserves, which leads to a shortfall in taxes to the regional budget. Alekperov reproached the administration for being prone to illegal exactions and interfering with work in every possible way. According to some reports, Vagit Alekperov took part in the fight to prevent Sergei Kiriyenko from becoming the President’s representative in the Volga Federal District. When he was Prime Minister of Russia, Kiriyenko neglected the interests of LUKOIL in a number of important oil projects. However, already when Sergei Kiriyenko was the plenipotentiary representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Volga Federal District, the Nizhny Novgorod oil company NORSI-Oil, in which Kiriyenko once worked, went to LUKOIL.
Area of interest
— Retail sales of gasoline in Russia and the CIS and abroad
LUKOIL is interested in significantly increasing its network of gas stations. In particular, in St. Petersburg, where the company intends to occupy a third of the retail market, in Ukraine, Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in the USA, where the Getty gas station chain has already been purchased. In Romania, LUKOIL owns 87.3% of the shares of the Petrotel refinery. LUKOIL is studying the possibility of participating in the tender for the privatization of the Czech petrochemical holding Unipetrol.
— Restructuring of the Russian energy sector
LUKOIL plans to become a shareholder in the Perm and Volgograd thermal power plants, which are located next to the company’s refineries. Subsequently, LUKOIL plans to buy or build other generating capacities, especially in the South of Russia - for gas from the Northern Caspian Sea, which LUKOIL will produce there. In regions in which LUKOIL has strategic economic interests, the company tries to support the current regional authorities and, according to some reports, supports current regional leaders in elections. However, in 2001-2002. Information has appeared that in a number of regions LUKOIL supports opposing candidates in elections, insuring businesses against possible losing situations.
Personal life
Alekperov called Enrico Mattei, the founder of the Italian oil company ENI, his idol: He was a personality, he turned a state-owned enterprise into a company that still provides Italy with Hydrocarbons. A characteristic feature of LUKOIL’s domestic and foreign policy is the unquestioned authority of its president. According to eyewitnesses, many of the company’s partners enter into agreements with it with the special condition that its current president remain in power. According to the company's foreign partners, Vagit Alekperov is distinguished by his purely American drive. He is married. Wife: Larisa Viktorovna. Son - Yusuf (born 1990). Vagit Alekperov’s hobbies are travel and tourism. Free time to communicate with friends and family appears on Saturdays, when he works until 14-15 hours, and the evening remains free.
Already as the head of Lukoil, Vagit Alekperov defended his dissertation on the topic “Creating conditions and ensuring sustainable development of vertically integrated oil companies” using the example of the enterprise he headed, and in 1998 received a Doctor of Economics degree. Two of his books were published that same year. In 2014, Alekperov was awarded the title “Honorary Professor of Volgograd State University.” Vagit Alekperov is also a full member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences
Vagit Alekperov today
Now Vagit Yusufovich is full of vitality and energy. In contrast to his youth, a certain rigidity has been added to his perseverance and determination, which, in other respects, does not in the least interfere with his ability to find a common language with everyone, be it an ordinary worker or a president.
The name, photo and video of Vagit Alekperov is constantly present on the front pages of the media. This fact is based on the rise in world oil prices. In addition to working and actively buying shares in the concern, the oil tycoon constantly has to be a consultant in various circles and give forecasts for the further development of the situation that arose after the rise in fuel prices.
Criticism[ | ]
In the spring of 2020, the media actively discussed information about the purchase of vineyards in Crimea by Vagit Alekperov, shortly after the annexation of the peninsula to Russia. , allegedly affiliated with the billionaire, bought 36 hectares of former Massandra vineyards[66]. At the same time, several times more than its market value were paid for the plot, which, according to the terms of sale, was intended exclusively for growing grapes. In this regard, fears were expressed that the new owner might start developing these lands and destroy the vineyards.
Alekperov received the greatest criticism in connection with the likely deal from the Ukrainian media, while Russian legal scholars pointed to the high risk of sanctions against the entrepreneur from the European Union and the United States if the information about the purchase is confirmed[67].
