Azerbaijan: Absheron discovery enters development phase

Total E&P Absheron and State Oil Co. of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) will drill a well in 450 m of water to begin production from the Absheron discovery offshore Azerbaijan.

The operator declared the discovery as commercial in 2012 after one of the hydrocarbon-bearing intervals in the Absheron X-2 well tested at 33.9 MMcfd of nonassociated gas and 2,500 b/d of 42.5° gravity condensate (OGJ Online, July 7, 2012). The Absheron discovery is estimated to contain 5-10 tcf of nonassociated gas with condensate in the Pliocen Balakhany and Fasila formations on the northern compartment of the structure, which is 270 sq km with cumulative net pay zone of more than 160 m.

The operators have signed an agreement establishing the contractual and commercial terms for a first phase of production of Absheron gas and condensate field, the company said. The Absheron offshore block lies east of Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea. Total Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne said close cooperation with SOCAR has “allowed us to design a cost-competitive development scheme by tying the field to existing infractructure.”

Production is expected to reach 35,000 boe/d and produced gas will supply Azerbaijan’s domestic market.

Total serves as operator of Absheron with a 40% interest alongside SOCAR 40% and Engie 20%.