Elnara Rzayeva
Elnara Rzayeva graduated from Azerbaijan State Economic University in 2002 and began her career shortly thereafter in a finance role within the energy industry.
She has since built more than two decades of experience in the oil and gas business, working across finance, commercial, strategy and asset management roles, gaining a well-rounded perspective on the energy value chain.
Her career has been primarily based in Azerbaijan, with regional responsibilities supporting the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkiye business corridor within bp, complemented by early international experience in the United Kingdom and later involvement supporting gas business operations in Oman, shaping her understanding of diverse operating and commercial environments.
During her time with bp, as she progressed through various finance and commercial roles, she had the opportunity to contribute to a range of key activities and gain valuable hands-on experience, including preparation of area development plans for the regions, commercial and strategic planning, and supporting the financing process for the major infrastructure asset.
Elnara currently works as a Joint Venture Manager on a major upstream oil asset, focusing on partner governance, commercial alignment, and the interpretation and application of complex contractual frameworks. Her role requires close coordination with legal and commercial colleagues, including support to negotiations and ongoing management of joint venture obligations with a focus on a long-term value delivery through a range of opportunities (value optimization within the PSA, non-associated gas development, electrification of processing terminal, screening of potential new opportunities).
Elnara is a former Fellow of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). She is also an active member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), where she values the opportunity to engage with the global network of professionals and contribute to knowledge sharing across the energy negotiation community.
Outside of her core role, Elnara is committed to supporting the development of younger professionals through coaching and knowledge sharing within her professional community. She is a strong advocate for the practical use of technology in business and supports the adoption of digital solutions that improve decision-making and operational efficiency. She values building professional relationships across cultures and disciplines.