Minadora Ivanova
From 1962 to 1974, was employed with the State Committee for Science and Technology, and worked as the Deputy Head of the Geology Administration under the USSR Oil Industry Ministry; Member, Expert, and Scientific Secretary of the Central Commission for Oil and Oil-and-Gas Fields Development. From 1974, Head of the Field Geology Department at the State Academy of Oil and Gas (Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas).
“He appreciated a sense of dignity in people, and did not tolerate tactlessness and lack of self-organization...”
Orator, debater, conversationalist
Sabit Orudzhev was a brilliant orator and debater; his speech was always precise, flawlessly logical, colorful, and humorous in a perfectly deadpan manner. Many people attended the meetings of the Central Commission for Oil and Oil-and-Gas Fields Development just to listen to him. He had no tolerance for empty speeches, but never humiliated such speakers, guiding them towards a better way of presentation instead.
Responsible and humane
Mr. Orudzhev’s appeal was rooted in many of his purely human qualities: he was approachable and friendly without being condescending. He appreciated a sense of dignity in people, and did not tolerate tactlessness and lack of self-organization. He was exacting about how people conducted themselves. Order and patterns of conduct were a matter of principle for Sabit Orudzhev. He did not give much importance to conveniences: during business trips to the regions, he would have the same working conditions and problems with food and comfort as the other members of the Commission.
One day, during a flight inspection of the area near the Ob River in Western Siberia, the helicopter was caught in a strong thunderstorm late in the afternoon, and the crew had to make a landing on a small piece of ground.
Overnight accommodation and proper food became a problem. In a small local shop that we found with great difficulty there was no food except round cracknels. Feeling that he was responsible for everyone, Sabit Orudzhev walked ahead of the group with a long string of cracknels in his hand, and he did not look disappointed but rather playful and cheerful.
Courteous gentleman
Traditionally, the ministry had Mr. Orudzhev deliver a speech in honor of Women's Day (March 8). And if he was late and another senior official wanted to congratulate the women ahead of him, the ladies would firmly say that they were waiting for Mr. Orudzhev to arrive, and arrive he did! He found so many pleasant and warm words to say to our women that after his speech they would leave the meeting room merry and happy as if after a big celebration.
Ready to help where needed
Mr. Orudzhev had a sense of civic responsibility: he determined the minimum required volume of imports. He directly supervised the elimination of an accidental blowout at a large well, the suppression of a terrible fire at the wellhead, and the measures taken to save the offshore fields from unpredictable Caspian storms.
Friend remembered
Today, when he is no longer with us, people always speak about him, write about him, and share memories about him, always with a sad and warm smile. Thousands of people speak well of him, because his selfless help and support changed many lives, including mine.
I will remember him as an outstanding personality and a master of his craft, who loved life in all of its aspects and devoted his own life to the common cause above all. He was generous, extraordinary, courageous, sincere, witty, demanding, and fair.
Nikolai Baibakov with top officials of USSR Oil Industry Ministry. Fourth from left: Minadora Ivanova