We are pleased to announce that David Hazell, Senior Vice President at CAVU, has been selected to speak on a distinguished panel at the IADC Drilling Caspian & Black Sea 2026 Conference, taking place 4–5 February 2026 in Baku.

This annual IADC event brings together global leaders, technical experts, and operational practitioners to address the industry’s most pressing challenges and shape the future of safe and efficient drilling across the region. The Caspian and Black Sea basin—one of the world’s most strategically significant drilling environments—continues to drive innovation in safety, technology, and workforce performance.

Panel: Smart Safety in High-Risk Areas – AI, Data Analytics & Human Factors

Date/Time: 11:10, 4 February 2026
Moderators:

• Ilkin Huseynli, Deputy HSSET Manager, Caspian Drilling Company
• Lars Nydahl Jørgensen, Regional Director Europe, IADC

Panelists:

• Safa Gasimov, Tourpusher, Caspian Drilling Company
• Kamran Alasgarov, Senior Wells Engineer, bp
• David Hazell, Senior Vice President, CAVU

This session will examine how data-driven decision-making, advanced analytics, and human-centered design are reshaping the way operators manage high-risk zones. Panelists will explore innovations such as AI-driven monitoring, smart planning tools, and Red Zone Matrix applications—all integrated with behavioural safety and human factors principles.

The discussion will highlight how emerging technologies, combined with real-world operational insight, can:

• Strengthen situational awareness and risk recognition
• Enable proactive rather than reactive red zone management
• Reduce exposure and incident frequency
• Empower frontline teams with data-informed decision-making
• Build a stronger, more resilient safety culture across drilling operations

CAVU’s Perspective: Technology Amplified by Human Performance

David Hazell will bring CAVU’s unique Human Performance–centered perspective to the conversation—emphasizing that technology delivers its greatest impact when paired with strong leadership behaviors, operational discipline, and a culture that prioritizes learning.

CAVU has long partnered with operators worldwide to enhance safety performance in high-risk environments, combining practical field experience with proven training, coaching, and human factors methodologies. David’s contribution will underscore how integrating Human Performance principles with AI and analytics can transform risk management in the red zone and beyond.

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As drilling operations continue to advance technologically, the intersection of AI, data analytics, and human factors will define the next generation of safety excellence. We look forward to sharing insights from the conference in February.

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