TRIP TO THE USSR, SEPTEMBER 28-OCTOBER 9, 1973

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-00798A000700060009-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 10, 2001
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: November 1, 1973
• Content Type: MFR

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United States Department of the Interior
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20242
November 1, 1973
Memorandum for the Record
To: All Concerned
From: Douglas C. Alverson, Branch of Special Projects, Arlington, Va.
Subject: Trip to the USSR, September 28-October.9, 1973
In mid-September of this year I was invited to participate in the visit to
the USSR of a delegation constituting the U.S. part of the joint USSR-U.S.
working group on the problem of preventing marine and river pollution during
well drilling, exploitation of oilfields, and pipeline transportation of oil.
This working group is one of several established by the USSR-U.S. Agreement
on Protection of the Environment signed.in 1972, which provides for the ex-
change of visits and information in many environmental fields. The purpose
of the visit was to become acquainted with Soviet oil pollution problems in
both offshore and onshore areas, approaches to the solution of these problems,
and appropriate personnel. The trip returned the visit made to the United
States in May by Soviet petroleum engineers L. A. Pelevin and V. N. Samarskiy
(see my memorandum of June 6, 1973).
The delegation was in the USSR from September 29 to October 8, 1973. The
hospitality with which we were received by our Soviet hosts was overwhelming,
as evidenced by the formal meals,, entertainments, gifts, and other considera-
tions showered upon us. Statements made during formal discussion periods and
informally, at other times,, by our Soviet counterparts leave little doubt as
to their desire for the closest possible friendly relations between the United
States and the USSR.
The delegation visited the extensive offshore oilfields at Neftyanyye Kamni
in the Caspian Sea near Baku and the largely automated Tuymazy oilfield in
western Bashkiria, about 1,000 km east of Moscow, in the Volga-Urals petroleum
province. Water-treatment facilities were examined at both oilfields. In
addition, models of equipment and production processes were seen in labora-
tories and offices in Ufa, Oktyabr'skiy and Moscow. Presentations and dis-
cussions relative to the purpose of our visit were held in Baku, Ufa,
Oktyabr'skiy and Moscow. At-the beginning of the trip, Dr. Karayev, Chairman
of the Soviet delegation, reported on the status of the petroleum industry
with respect to protection of the environment, and a summary of Soviet regula-
tions concerning protection of the marine environment from pollution was made
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available to us. In Baku, formal reports acid talks centered on the status
of oil development in the Caspian Sea, research on preventing pollution dur-
ing offshore operations, and treatment of formation water used in waterflood-
ing systems, and in Ufa, five formal reports were delivered on various as-
pects of treating and. using formation water for injection.
Upon our return to Moscow on October 7, final discussions were held with
Dr. Karayev and his staff relative to the wording of the "Protokol," or
Minutes of our meetings, including plans for future work and exchanges of
personnel and information.
My participation in the work of the delegation consisted of providing back-
ground information on the USSR, especially its geography, geology, and
petroleum industry, serving as an interpreter and translator in the absence
of the Soviet interpreter, Mr. Koverzrev, and preparing and checking the
various versions of the "Protokol."
Attached are a narrative report of the trip, lists of the U.S. delegation and
Soviet personnel that we met, information about specific Soviet personnel, and
-recommendations and comments.
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A. Narrative
On September 28, 1973, at 8:15 p.m. the undersigned and other members of the
U.S. delegation left Dulles International Airport on Pan American Airways
Flight 3.06 for London. After our arrival at 8:30 a.m. there was a short
layover, and at 10:50 a.m. on the 29th we left London Airport on British
European Airways Flight 672 for Moscow. We arrived at Sheremet'yevo airport,
just northwest of Moscow, at 4:10 p.m. and were met at the airport by
Dr. N. K. Krems, B. A. Kuvshinnikov, and E. A. Makhmudbekov, of the Ministry
of the Oil Industry of the USSR, and Vladimir Koverzrev, of the Ministry's
Protocol Section, who was to be our interpreter throughout the trip.
After passport inspection and customs formalities, we were driven to the
Hotel Rossiya, in the center of Moscow. Following a brief rest, we met again
on the top floor of the hotel for what was to be the first of many formal
dinners in the USSR. Dr. Krems, substituting for Dr. Karayev, who was ill,
introduced his coworkers, and many toasts were drunk to the success of our
joint undertaking. After dinner, our hosts led us on a nighttime walk:to
Red Square and Lenin's Tomb, and drove us to the Lenin hills for a magnificent
view of Moscow at night.
The next morning, following breakfast at the hotel and a walk to Red Square,
our hosts took us to Domodedovo airport, about 50 km southeast of the center
of Moscow. Our flight. to Baku was delayed several hours, but Aeroflot Flight
857 finally delivered us to our Azerbaidzhauian hosts at about 7:00 P.M. We
stayed at the Hotel Azerbaidzhan, Baku's finest, near Dom Pravitel'stva
(Government House) and Baku Bay. After dinner at the hotel restaurant, we
walked through Primorskiy (Seaside) Park and retired.
On October 1, we were driven to "Gipromorneft'" Institute(USSR, 37061, Baku,
Ulitsa Uz. Gadzhibekova, 16) where we were greeted by Dr. N. K. Babayev,
Director, and introduced to members of his staff, including Dr. I. A. Iskenderov,
Dr. N. A. Aliyev, Dr. S. E. Manukyan, and Dr. I. P. Kuliyev. "Gipromorneft'"
Institute is the research and planning arm of Kaspmorneft Ob'yedineniye, the
organization responsible for exploration and oil production in the Caspian Sea..
At the Institute, several reports were presented in Russian, followed by
English translations, and copies of the reports furnished to each member of
the U. S. delegation. After a 2-hour break for lunch, we returned to
"Gipromorneft" for further discussions. At dusk we were taken on a fast
tour of Baku, which included the monument to the 26 Baku Commissars, the
Nizami Monument and Museum, the Virgin's Tower, and the Kirov statue on a
hill overlooking Baku Bay. We had dinner at the hotel, and retired.
On Tuesday, October 2, our hosts picked us up at the hotel and we repeated,
in daylight, the long drive through the industrial districts of Baku-to the
airport. No indication of the nature of the plants and factories in these
districts was visible from the highway, but our hosts informed us that most
produced equipment for the oil industry. Most buildings were one- or two-
story, enclosed by a low wall., and had a rundown appearance. Exhortative
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and propoganda signs were to be seen on many buildings and streets. The
Apsheron peninsula here is flat to gently rolling, with a few hills, and,
outside the city is covered only by sparse grassy vegetation. In a few
places, large, flat-bottomed valleys with more verdant and abundant vege-
tation were seen.
At the airport, we boarded a large Aeroflot helicopter and flew to the oil-
fields at Neftyanyye Kamni (Oil Rocks) which are located about 100 km east
of Baku. Fin. route we passed over part of the Apsheron peninsula and the
oilfields at Artem and Zhiloy islands, which are partly offshore and partly
onshore. The maximum depth of wells at these fields is about 4,500 in, and
all production is from faulted anticlinal structures in the Middle Pliocene.
Neftyanyye Kamni is a large oilfield built on platforms on and around rocks
and shoals in the Caspian Sea. Approximately 4,000 people work at
Neftyanyye Kamni, in 12-day shifts.. The wells and other facilities are con-
nected by causeways (trestles) supported on steel piles driven into the
bottom sediments of the Caspian Sea. The causeways total about 200 km in
length.
Our first major stop at Neftyanyye Kamni was atone of four water-separation
installations at the field. A total of about 70,000 m3/day of water is re-
injected to maintain formation pressure. One of the four installations uses
fresh formation water, the other three sea water. The fresh water installa-
tion treats about 10,000 m3 of water per day. Before treatment, the forma-
tion water contains about 50-60 mg/l of mechanical impurities (sand, etc.).
This is lowered to about 12-15 mg/l by the coalescent filter tank, which has
a capacity of 2,400 m3. Oil from Neftyanyye Kamni has a specific gravity of
.87-.90, and is free of H2S. Production costs are about 4.60 rubles per ton,
and about 14,500 tons of crude are produced daily from 22 pay zones in the
Plioceno*/. Reserves are estimated at 150 million tons.
Other stops on our tour of Neftyanyye Kamni included the park, workers'
settlement, the museum, the first house, the bakery, and similar points of
interest. In the auditorium we were shown a film of a fire which occurred
in the 1950's at Neftyanyye Kamni. The fire resulted from a blowout, which
created a violent natural seep of gas and oil nearby. The fire was ex-
tinguished by depth charges. after several days. Following the film, we had
a light lunch (only five courses this time, but with the customary number of
toasts), and then we returned to Baku by ship. During the voyage we were
guests of the Captain in his cabin and were kept apart from the other
passengers. Conversation, fruit, Azerbaidzhanian backgammon, and a re-
spectable number of toasts filled in the return trip. Near Baku we passed
a Soviet warship (probably a destroyer) leaving port. We landed at the new
marine terminal and walked back to the hotel.
On Wednesday, October 3, talks resumed at "Gipromorneft'" Institute. Most
of the time, the undersigned was closeted with Makhmudbekov and others
1 ton of crude oil = 6.6-8bbl., depending on specific gravity
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preparing the first of several versions of,the "Protokol," or Minutes of
our meetings. In mid-afternoon we lunched at an outdoor cafe in Seaside
Park. Following this, we were received by Dr. Suleymanov, Chief of
"Kaspmorneft'"'Ob'yedineniye, an organization employing about 26,000 people,
responsible for all phases of exploration and production of oil on the
Caspian Sea. It produces about 12 million tons of oil and 8 billion m3 of
gas per year. It has a fleet of about 400 vessels to service offshore in-
stallations. Dr. Suleymanov distributed souvenirs to the delegation, in-
cluding Azerbaidzhani tea sets, commemorative medals and pins, and a book
about Azerl,aidzhan.
Following our reception at Kaspmorneft', there were a few moments for
souvenir shopping and rest before we were taken to the Petroleum Workers'
Club, somewhere in the outskirts of Baku; for dinner. En route we stopped
at the Temple of the Fire Worshippers at Ashtegyakh. The temple is built
at the site of natural gas vents, around which a kind of hostelry had been
constructed by Indian fire-worshippers in the 19th Century. The Petroleum
Club is a handsome modern building built in the Azerbaidzhanian architectural
style, in pleasant garden-like surroundings. As usual our hosts overfed us,
and, also as usual, the evening was consummated by a surfeit-of toasts.
Soviet-American friendship reached new heights during a songfest on the bus
on the way back to the hotel.
On Thursday, October 4, after settling accounts at the Hotel "Azerbaidzhan"
we were taken to Baku airport, and placed on the Aeroflot flight to Moscow.
Our hosts from the Ministry met us at the airport and gave us a 3-hour guided
bus tour of the heart of Moscow including a circumnavigation of the Kremlin
walls and the Bol'shoy theater, We returned to the airport for the custom-
ary light repast, and boarded Aeroflot Flight 342 for Ufa. Arriving in Ufa
just before 1:00 a.m., local time, we were again treated to dinner, and
about 2:00 a.m. we began the drive to Oktyabr'skiy, about 160 km to the west.
The night was cold and rainy, the road narrow and bumpy, but well fortified
for these hazards we set off and at 6:20 a.m. arrived at the Petroleum
Workers' Rest House near Oktyabr'skiy. Another light repast awaited us, and
2 hours later we crept into bed.
On Friday, October 5, we arose about 11:00 a.m. and., following breakfast,
were taken to "Dom Tekhniki" (Technology House) in Oktyabr'skiy, where we
were briefed by Dr. Akmetshin on the Tuymazy oilfield. Prior to 1944, ex-
ploratory wells at Tuymazy penetrated only Carboniferous rocks, resulting
in comparatively low yields. In 1944, well. no. 100 reached the Devonian at
1,700 m, and a "great gusher" was obtained, yielding 250 tons of oil per day.
Production is now from pay zones in the pre-Devonian, Devonian, Carboniferous,
and Permian. The principal pay zones are D1 and D2 (Devonian). About 85
percent of the field's reserves are held in the Devonian, and it is anticipated
that about 45 percent of the reserves are recoverable. Structurally, the field
is an irregular uplift, with long-axis, about 50 km long, trending , and
short axis about 16 km long. Injection wells are located 1.5,to 5 km from
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producing wells, outside the oil-water contact. Injection wells are 3 kni
apart, production wells 400 m apart along radial lines that'are 500 m apart.
The, pay zones are fine-grained sandstone with good permeability and porosity.
The crude oil has a specific gravity of about 0.86, and.viscosity of about
2.5 centipoise. There is no gas cap and no faults have been mapped in the
structure, which is described as "platform-type.". The field contains
1,480 producing wells, of which 470 have centrifugal pumps, and 6 flow at
,the surface. Production from the field is about 13,400 tons per day of
oil, and 78,000 m3 of water. There are 2,250 injection wells, which pump
about 111,000 m3 of water back into the field. All produced formation water
is reinjected. Formation water contains about 25 mg/l of oil and 33 mg/l of
solid particles. Only petroleum (:ac,:bciated) gas is produced, and 98 percent
of it is used at the field. The field is highly automated, requiring a
minimum of personnel for repair and well servicing. No fires or blowouts
have occurred. Sand is not present in oil produced from the field. H2S is
present in oil from the Carboniferous. Maximum recovery rate from the field
is about 50,000 tons/day. Power requirements are 2 million killowatt-hours
per year, of which 60 percent is used for water injection.
-Following Dr. Akhmetshin's briefing, we were guided through the exhibit halls
of Technology House which included some excellent working models. During
most of this time, the undersigned was with Pelevin and Makhmudbekov, draw-
ing up a revision of the "Protokol." In the afternoon we toured the Tuymazy
oilfield itself. The area seen by the delegation is in large part hilly,
and about equally divided between fields and woods. During the tour, the
delegation visited the famous well no. 100, from which Devonian oil was
first produced, as well as an automated production control station, a water
treatment plant, and other installations. All seemed to be well maintained.
Following the tour, the party returned to the Petroleum Workers' Rest House
for dinner and rest.
On Saturday, October 6, the U. S. delegation and our accompanying Soviet
hosts returned to Ufa by car. After a short tour of Oktyabr'skiy, which is
a modern city of about 70,000 founded in 1946,.we drove through the relatively
sparsely populated, wooded, dissected plateau of western Bashkiria. The
plateau (the Bugulma-Belebey upland) is transected by several large flat-
bottomed valleys, possibly 1-2 kni wide, which are flanked by relatively
steep-sided bluffs. The bluffs are capped by thin-bedded red and white
clastics(?) of lacustrine origin. We stopped for a few moments at lake
Kondrikul, a beautiful remnant lake in an old Pleistocene drainageway, now
a fishing resort. About half-way to Ufa, the terrain becomes more level
and the frequency of small Bashkir villages along the road increased. Houses
in the villages are small log cabins with shutters and ornamentation invari-
ably painted blue and white. The proportion of land devoted to agriculture
also increased. Ufa itself is situated on high bluffs ( 20 m?) at the con-
fluence of the Belaya and,Ufa rivers. It is a very large, in many respects
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modern, city of about 800,000 people. Its-industry is mostly related to
service, supply and equipment for the oil industry.
In Ufa, the delegation was received by Dr. G. A. Babalyan, Director of
"BashNipNeft" Institute, which is the research and development arm of
"BashNef t" Ob'yedineniye, the organization r' esponsible for oil production
throughout Bashkiria. The Institute is divided into a research division
and a design division. Its activities encompass research in the geological
sciences, prospecting, drilling, development, production, and economics of
oil. It employs about 1,600 people, of whom 750 belong to the design
division, and the rest to research. Research in increasing oil recovery
using waterflooding methods and surface-active agents is emphasized.
Scientific personnel at the Institute include six Doctors-of Science and
70 Candidates of Science, and through its Scientific Council'.,' the Institute
is empowered to grant higher degrees.
Following the briefing by Dr. Babalyan, the delegation, guided by
Dr. U. M. Baykov, toured two laboratories in the Institute which were im-
pressive for their cleanliness. In one laboratory, the mechanics of the
.coalescent filter standing tank seen at Tuymazy were explained, with the
help of models and diagrams. The tank has a capacity of 121 - 3,000 m3/day,
producing water with an impurities content of 15 mg/l:or less.
After the visit to "BashNIPINeft" Institute, the delegation was received by
Dr. Ye. V. Stolyarov, Chief.of the "BashNef t" Ob'yedineniye. This visit
was largely formal and Dr. Stolyarov distributed momentoes of our visit to
Bashkiria, including handsome carved wooden bears, a can of Bashkirian honey,
commemorative medals and pins. Upon our return to the hotel, our Soviet
counterparts hosted us at yet another multicourse dinner.
At 6:12 a.m. on Sunday, October 7, following an early morning breakfast at
the hotel we drove to the airport where a few moments were available for
final discussions with Dr. Babalyan regarding development of new drilling
techniques and the use of surfactants. Dr. Babalyan admitted that the use
of nuclear explosives. to stimulate production had not been as economically
rewarding as hoped. Aeroflot flight 342 delivered us to Domodedovo airport
at 8:30 a.m. Moscow time, and our hosts from the Ministry took us to the
Hotel Rossiya. Dr. A. 0. K. Karayev, Chief of the Technical and Economic
Administration (Upravleniye) of the Ministry, presented members of the dele-
gation with a handsome tea set from Uzbekistan, and a beautiful book of
pictures of Moscow, as souvenirs of our visit.
In the early afternoon, the delegation was taken to the Ministry of the Oil
Industry, which is located on the Moscow River across from the Kremlin
(USSR, 109823, Moskva Zh-35, nab. M. Toreza, 26/1), and welcomed by Dr. Karayev
and members of his staff. After preliminary comments, the "Protokol" was dis-
cussed point-by-point and a final version was approved. During the discussions
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and Dr. Karayev's subsequent briefing, Lev Pelevin, E. A. Makhmudbekov
and the undersigned were engaged in translating and checking the final
Russian and English texts of the "Protokol."
Following our meeting with Dr. Karayev at the, Ministry, the entire group
was taken to the Baku Restaurant for a final banquet of Azerbaidzhanian
national dishes interspersed with an appropriate number of toasts. After
dinner, we drove to the Moscow Circus, somewhere in the vicinity of Moscow
University, for an enjoyable evening of fine entertainment. After the
circus the group returned to the Hotel Rossiya on the Moscow subway system
(Metro;). All were impressed by the size and cleanliness of the stations,
which resemble art galleries more. than subway stops. We arrived at Red
Square in time to see the 11:00 p.m. changing of the guard, and then re-
turned to the hotel.
On Monday, October 8, the undersigned delivered the Atlas of Azerbaidzhanian
Mud Volcanoes presented to him in Baku, copies of the Soviet reports, and
other documents to the American Embassy for transmittal to the U.S. via
diplomatic pouch. After rest, casual walking about the city, and souvenir
'buying,. the undersigned and others of the delegation were taken to
Sheremet'yevo airport by our Soviet hosts, by whom our processing was much
facilitated, and we boarded Air France Flight 725 for Paris at 5:05 P.M.
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B. American delegation
W. A. Radlinski, Associate Director
U. S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia
Chairman of the U. S. delegation
Douglas C. Alverson, Geologist
Branch of Special Projects, U.S. Geological Survey
Arlington, Virginia
Thomas A. Collins, District Manager
Placid Oil Company, New Orleans, Louisiana
Richard B. Krahl, Chief
Branch of Marine Oil and Gas Operations, U. S. Geological Survey
Reston, Virginia
A. J. Laborde, President
Ocean Drilling and Exploration Company
New Orleans, Louisiana
Warren Marshall, Division Production Manager
Offshore Division, Shell Oil Company
New Orleans, Louisiana
Hillary A. Oden, Assistant Conservation Manager
Western Region, U. S. Geological Survey
Menlo Park, California
L. C. Soileau, III, President
Chevron Oil Company,' California Company Division
New Orleans, Louisiana
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C. Soviet Personnel L * Indicates persons officially designated as
Soviet members of the Working Grou7
*Karayev, A. K., Chief, Technical-Economic Administration
and Member of the Collegium, Ministry of the Oil Industry
of the USSR; Doctor of Technical Sciences; Chairman of the
Soviet part of the Working Group
*Chelpanov, P. I., Deputy Chief, Technical-Economic Administration,
Ministry of the Oil Industry of the USSR
*Makhmudbekov, E. A., Section Chief, Technical-Economic
Administration, Ministry of the Oil Industry of the USSR;
Scientific Secretary of the Soviet part of the Working Group
*Samarskiy, V. N., Chief of the Section for the Development of
Offshore Drilling and Production Techniques and Shipping,
Ministry of the Oil Industry of the USSR
*Kerms, N. K., Deputy Chief, Foreign Relations Administration,
Ministry of the Oil Industry of the USSR
Koverzrev, V.,, Protocol Section, Foreign Relations Administra-
tion, Ministry of the Oil Industry of the USSR (our
interpreter)
*Kuvshinnikov, B. A., Counselor to-the Staff of the Soviet part
of the Joint Soviet-American Committee; Main Administration
of the Hydrometeorological Service of the USSR
*Suleymanov, A. B., Chief of "Kaspmorneft" Ob'yedineniye;
Doctor. of Technical Sciences
*Babayev, N. B., Director of "Gipromorneft" Institute; Doctor
of, Technical Sciences; Professor; State Prize Laureate
Kuliyev, I. P.,'Deputy Director of "Gipromorneft" Institute
Doctor, of Technical Sciences; Professor; Lenin Prize Laureate
Zeynalov, T. K., Chief of the Technical Section, "I spmorneft"
Ob'yedineniye
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*Iskenderov, I. A., Chief, Marine Environmental Protection
Section, "Gipromorneft" Institute; Doctor of Technical
Sciences
Manukyan, S. Ye., Chief Project Designer, Marine Environmental
Protection. Section, "Gipromorneft" Institute; Doctor of
Technical Sciences
Gidanov,? I. A., Project Chief, Marine Environmental Protection
Section; "Gipromorneft" Institute
Efendiyev, N. M., Chief Project Designer, Marine Environmental
Protection Section,, "Gipromorneft" Institute
Aliyev, N. A., Section Chief, "Gipromorneft" Institute; Doctor
of Technical Sciences
? *Pelevin, L. A., Deputy Director, All-Union Scientific Research
Institute for the Collection, Treatment and Transportation
of Oil, Gas, and Water
Stolyarov, Ye. V., Chief of "Bashneft" Ob'yedineniye
Vasil'yev, A. I.,.Chief, Secondary Methods of Oil Recovery
Section,. "Bashneft' Ob'yedineniye
.*Babalyan, G. A., Director, "BashNlPlneft" Institute; Doctor
of Technical Sciences; Professor
Baykov, U. M., Section Chief, "BashNlPlneft" Institute; Candidate
of Technical Sciences
~. Oktyabr'skiy
Akhmetshin,'A. G., Chief of "Tuymazaneft" Upravleniye
Ionov, V. I., Chief, Engineer, "Tuymazaneft" Upravleniye
Gazizov, Z. S.,' Chief Geologist, "Tuymazaneft" Upravleniye
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D. Comments on Soviet personnel
1. E. A. Makhmudbekov. Mr. Makhmudbekov,is a native of Azerbaidzhan
and has worked in the petroleum industry for some 45 of his 60 years. His
services have been recognized by the Soviet government by the award of the
title "Honored Worker in the Petroleum Industry," and he always wears the
gold medal accompanying this designation. Malthmudbekov'S appearance be-
lies his age, and it is difficult to believe that he has a son, also a
petroleum engineer who is 33. His attitude was most friendly, he has a
great sense of humor, and he seemed to be highly regarded by all the oilmen
we met. In his capacity as Scientific Secretary to the Soviet part of the
working group, he accompanied our delegation to all the points we visited
in the USSR, the only one of our Soviet hosts to do so aside from V.
Koverzrev, our interpreter. Makhmudbekov expressed a great interest in
all things American and looked forward to visiting the U. S. next spring.
He was particularly respectful of President Kennedy, and asked me to send
him pictures of the Kennedy gravesite in Arlington. He is a Section Chief
at the Ministry, in Moscow, but of which section was never made clear. He
has lived in Moscow for about 35 years. He speaks no English, is fluent
in Russian and Azerbaidzhanian is his native tongue. Makhmudbekov and
Pelevin jointly shared-responsibility for the preparation of the "Protokol,"
or minutes of our meetings in the USSR.
2. V. N. Samarskiy (see also my memorandum of June 6, 1973). Mr.
Samarskiy participated in our discussions in Baku and seemed to command a
great deal of authority there. According to Pelevin,'Samarskiy's high blood
pressure began to bother him-seriously and he was forced to cancel his partici-
pation in the remainder of our trip and return to Moscow. He did not appear
on the last day in Moscow, as I would have expected, so it must be assumed
that his condition was serious,
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3. L. A. Pelevin (see also my memorandum of June 6, 1973).
Mr. Pelevin met us at the Ufa airport and drove Krahl and myself from Ufa
to Oktyabrskiy in his own car, very likely in return for similar services
rendered to him in New Orleans. In Ufa and especially Moscow, Pelevin gave
ample evidence, in his methods of'solving minor problems, of his long politi-
cal experience as a Deputy to the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR. With only a
quick, almost surreptitious flash of his identity papers, an arm about the
shoulders, and a smooth verbal approach, which usually ended with "God grant
you and your family good health," Pelevin secured passports after hours,
hastened room assignments at hotels and arranged for tea in my room at a
very early hour, among other accomplishments. Pelevin did admit that he was
tired of serving as a Deputy, even though this brings many fringe benefits,
such as free travel throughout the Soviet Union, reduced rates at hotels,
a chauffeur, etc. He probably.will not run for a fourth term. During our
trip, his principal responsibility seemed to be the preparation and con-
tinuous revision of the "Protokol." After the final version was-finished
in Moscow (and he had received a rather rude rebuff from Dr. Karayev), he
quietly swore a few oaths, then wrote out a statement on a scrap of paper to
the effect that as of that moment he was going on strike, never again to en-
gage in this type of "dammed paper pushing." Then he signed it in English,
and after Makhmudbekov.read it and gave him a quizzical look, Pelevin
crumpled the paper and put it in his pocket. Pelevin thinks that he probably
will be a member of the Soviet delegation coming to the U. S. next spring.
4. G.. A. Babalyan, Director of BashNIPIneft Institute.
An older man, his demeanor is quiet, friendly and sympathetic, and he gives
the appearance of knowing his field. He would like to visit the U. S. very
much. He is a nature enthusiast, and likes to fish and walk in the country-
side. Dr. Babalyan is a native of Armenia and speaks a few words of English.
5. Vladimir Koverzrev. "Volodya," our interpreter, is a well-dressed,
sophisticated Muscovite. He is a graduate of the Institute of Foreign
Languages in Moscow where he specialized in English. He is the second-ranking
person in the Protocol Section of the Foreign Relations Administration of the
Ministry of the Oil Industry, but has had no formal engineering or scientific
training. He spent .3 years in Iraq, where he became acquainted with Samarskiy
and acquired much practice in speaking English. His command of English, even
the vernacular, is excellent, and his skill as-an interpreter (sometimes under
very difficult conditions) shows good training and much practice. He would
like very much to come to the United States as part of the Soviet delegation,
and hopes that Radlinski will specifically request him. Koverzrev resides in
Moscow, and has recently purchased an apartment in a cooperative development
on the highway to Domodedovo airport. He admits to having the kind of re-
lationship with his wife that permits him to engage in "amorous flights" else-
where, and apparently did so a fpw times on our trip. His lack of inhibition
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was at least partially demonstrated by the ease with which he joined in the
Azerbaidzhani national dance several times in Baku, and his flirtations in
Baku and Ufa.
E. Recommendations and Comments
1. Although the reception and hospitality afforded us by our Soviet
hosts were overwhelming, and could only create the very best impression of
their desire for mutual friendship and cooperation, it can only (sadly) be
concluded that much valuable time was lost at the dining and drinking table,
considering the relatively short duration of our stay in the USSR. This is
particularly true at Baku., where time offshore at Neftyanyye Kamni was spent
at a formal luncheon, on tours of cultural features, and on a long boat ride
back, that could have been spent at drilling and producing facilities. Much.
less time was wasted at Ufa and Oktyabr'skiy, where, all things considered,
there was a better balance of briefing, discussion, and tour of facilities.
It must also be added that, although Soviet cognacs, vodkas, and wines are
superb, their consumption in the quantities apparently required at the
inevitable and innumerable formal meals did not leave the undersigned, at
least, in the best possible condition to carry out. his functions.
2. In planning future trips to the USSR,'U. S. personnel should be made
aware that it sometimes requires a great deal more time (and patience) to
complete certain actions in the USSR than a.n the U.S. For example, it was
nearly impossible to complete breakfast in less than 1 hour, lunch in less
than 2 hours, or dinner in less than 3 hours. Purchasing even inexpensive
items often requires the writing of a receipt in duplicate, paying at a
separate desk, and. returning to the original desk to pick up the purchase.
There were usually long lines at currency exchange and post office windows.
3. Careful consideration should be given to itineraries and reserva-
tions. We were charged for an extra day in Moscow (at 15 rubles per day)
because of incorrect reservations, and for some reason the hotel in Ufa
charged us for 2 days,. although we were there less than.1 day. Perhaps
Soviet hotel policy can be determined and itineraries planned accordingly.
4. Considering the difficulty encountered in converting certain
travelers' cheques to rubles, the-undersigned recommends that only U.S.
currency or American Express travelers cheques be taken to the USSR (some
difficulty might even be encountered with the latter outside the largest
tourist cities).
5. Even simple official transactions in the USSR require a great'deal
of paperwork. At the Domodedovo Airport Intourist office it required the
herculean efforts of no less than three highly placed Soviet officials to
secure individual receipts for the fares payed from Moscow to Ufa. Even
then, Intourist personnel protested that they had no right to issue such
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receipts, and, disclaiming all responsibility for the consequences, be-
grudgingly made available suitable forms and official stamps so that our
hosts could make out the receipts.
6.' In remote areas and away from hotels, sanitary facilities are likely
to be primitive, and only exceptionally match U: S. standards. It is
recommended that U. S. personnel take a roll of toilet paper, hand soap,
and a supply of kleenex.
7. According to personnel at the U. S. Embassy in Moscow, the."Beryozka"
shops have the best selection of souvenirs and other items likely to be de-
sired by visitors, at prices much lower than in ordinary Soviet stores.
"Beryozka" shops accept only-fcr:ign (not Soviet) currency. Often desirable
or scarce items such as fur hats can be found only in the "Beryozka" shops,
which are located in the major tourist hotels and airports.
8. Foreign currency and travellers' cheques can be converted to rubles
only at designated offices, usually in banks or hotels. A receipt for each
currency transaction must be secured and kept, along with the Customs
Declaration made upon arrival in the USSR, or it will be impossible to re-
convert rubles back into dollars. Conversion from rubles back to hard
currency can be done only at international airports, upon leaving the USSR.
Currency of the USSR may not be taken out of the country.
9. Public transportation in Moscow, and presumably elsewhere in the
USSR, is cheap and convenient. A taxi ride from the Hotel Rossiya to the
U. S. Embassy cost about 60 kopecks. One can ride all over Moscow on the
subway for only 5 kopecks. Our flight from Moscow to Ufa, a distance of
about 1,150 km, cost only 22 rubles one way.
10. As gifts for our Soviet counterparts, the undersigned took several
dozen Apollo shoulder patches, 10 silver dollars, pictures from the Apollo
and Skylab programs, a few U. S. Government pocket circular slide rules, and
two dozen ballpoint pens. The Apollo shoulder patches were very warmly re-
ceived at all levels, especially when there was time to explain that the
patches are copies of those worn by our astronauts on their spacesuits; the
slide rules were well received;.it was my impression that Kennedy half.-
dollars would have been better than Eisenhower dollars, and I turned the
pens over to the U. S. Embassy as it seems that the ballpoint pen industry
of the USSR has progressed mightily in the past few years.
11. The Soviets. seemed, to attach.great importance to the preparation
of a "Protokol" for each meeting of the joint working group. The "Protokol,"
perhaps best translated'as "Minutes" or "Proceedings," is a record of meet-
ings, presentations of papers, discussions, and agreements for further work.
The "Protokol" of this trip was begun in Baku, continued in Oktyabr'skiy
and finished in Moscow. Significant changes in the text were made in the
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latter two places. Some prestige seems, to be attached to being named in
the "Protokol," and in Moscow the list of the Soviet delegation to the
working group was pruned drastically.
12. Press coverage of the trip, so far as known, was limited to two
short virtually identical items in the "Bakinskiy Rabochiy (Baku Worker)
and "Vyshka" (The Derrick) (Baku) for October 2, 1973. Translation of
the article in'$aku Worker" follows:
"In the Interests of Cooperation"
"A delegation of petroleum specialists from the USA studying
problems of preventing pollution of seas and rivers during
well drilling, development of oil fields, and pipeline trans-
portation arrived in Baku on September 30. The delegation,
which is headed by V. Radlinski, Deputy Director of the U. S.
Geological Survey, includes representatives of government
agencies and private companies."
"The agreement between the USSR and USA provides for the de-
velopment of cooperation in the field of protecting the en-
vironment in 11 problem areas. One of these is "Protection
of the marine environment from pollution." For the joint
solution of problems related to preventing pollution of water
during well drilling, production and transportation of oil,
a combined Soviet-American working group has been created."
"The delegation came to our country to become acquainted with
Soviet experience, and for discussions of plans for the further
development of Soviet-American cooperation in this field."
"On October 1, our guests visited "Gipromorneft" Institute,
where they were told of work underway for protecting the
Caspian from pollution."
(Azerinform).
13. Even a slight knowledge of Russian, plus a friendly and-sympathetic
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