This editorial watercolor features the Heydar Aliyev rig—one of the most technologically advanced semi-submersible drilling platforms in the Caspian Sea. Operated by Maersk Drilling and named after Azerbaijan’s former president, the rig plays a strategic role in the region’s offshore oil extraction. Rendered through a dynamic watercolor technique, this illustration bridges art and engineering, capturing both the structural magnitude and the symbolic power of the platform.

The project was created to visualize a facility that is rarely photographed from up close due to its offshore positioning and complex security access. Instead of relying on low-resolution references, the rig was reconstructed in full visual fidelity, honoring its modern design and robust offshore capabilities. The final piece was published in The Oil & Gas Year’s Azerbaijan 2019 edition, visually elevating the editorial’s deepwater drilling focus.

• Published as a major full-page illustration in the 2019 Azerbaijan edition of The Oil & Gas Year.

• Helped position the magazine’s visuals as editorially rich and technically informed.

• Received positive recognition from offshore stakeholders for blending storytelling with technical imagery.

• The original reference materials consisted of only low-res, generic photos, with no direct access to the rig.

• The helipad and drill tower structure required detailed reconstruction and alignment for accuracy.

• Balancing color vibrancy with industrial realism was crucial to maintain credibility in a B2B publication.