Azerbaijan continues construction of new platform in gas condensate offshore structure

SOCAR (the Azerbaijani State Oil Company) shipped two three-storied dwelling blocks to prospective gas condensate structure Umid in Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea within construction of new two blocked platform, SOCAR said on April 15. Crane ship Azerbaijan transports blocks to the structure.

Helicopter platform is planned to be installed in the platform after placing of these blocks. Presently, this platform is in the deep water jacket plant named after Heydar Aliyev. Drilling plant ZJ70/4500DZ made in China will be delivered to the platform. The first exploring well with 6,500 meter depth will be drilled via this plant.

Major aim of exploring drilling in this structure is to increase gas production in the country.

Indicated gas reserves are estimated in the amount of 300 billion cubic meters in Umid prospective structure, SOCAR head Rovnag Abdullayev said. Indicated gas condensate reserves are estimated in the amount of 30-40 million tons in Umid.

The first exploring well is expected to be drilled in the structure in April 2009, SOCAR first vice-president Khoshbakht Yusefzadeh said. SOCAR intends to conduct exploring drilling and further development of the structure owing to own means.

/Trend Capital/