31-01-2012 12:33:14

BP to complete drilling Shahdaniz appraisal well by mid-2012

BP, the technical operator of Azerbaijan’s giant Shahdaniz gas field in the Caspian Sea, will complete the drilling of SDX-07a appraisal well by mid-2012, an energy market source told Trend news agency.

The drilling of this well is carried out in the frame of the second stage of Shahdaniz development.

The source said a new borehole is being drilled in “a normal mode”, and the current depth of the well is 4,700 meters.

“The process of drilling will be completed no earlier than mid-2012 in the normal course of work,” it said.

The well will be tested after the completion of the drilling operations and if the results are positive, it will be conserved.

Istiglal drilling rig is being used to carry out the drilling. The depth of the well must be up to 6,300-6,400 meters upon completion of the operations.

The Shahdaniz field holds estimated reserves of 1.2 trillion cubic meters of gas. The second stage of Shahdaniz development will be launched by late 2017.

TAGS: BP, Azerbaijan, Shahdaniz gas field, Caspian Sea, SDX-07a appraisal, mid-2012