Absheron gas field

The Absheron gas field is an offshore natural gas field in the Caspian Sea. The field is located 100 km southeast of Baku and 25 km northeast of the Shah Deniz gas field. It covers approximately 270 km2.[1][2]

Partners of the Absheron field are Total S.A. (40%), SOCAR (40%), and GDF Suez (20%). Operator of the field is Total.

History

The Absheron block was discovered as a result of seismic exploration by Azerbaijani scientists in 1960 and was commissioned for exploration works in 1993. The first production sharing agreement on the Absheron field was signed between SOCAR and ChevronTexaco on August 1, 1997. According to the agreement, contractors conducted three seismic studies of 634 km2 of the block and drilled an exploration well in its southern section at a depth of 520 m.[3] In 2001, gas condensate beds were found on the depth of 6500 m;[4] however, these reserves were estimated as commercially unprofitable and Chevron quit the project in December 2005.

The new contract between Total and SOCAR was signed on February 27, 2009.[5] The agreement which oversaw drilling of three exploration wells within the next three years was ratified by Azerbaijani Parliament in mid May, 2009.[6] Later GDF Suez acquired 20% stake from Total. The area stipulated in the agreement covered 747 km2.[3]

Significant natural gas resources were discovered in September 2011 at the Absheron X-2 exploration well drilled by the Heydar Aliyev drilling rig, operated by Maersk Drilling, at a depth of 6550 m.[1]

Reserves

The field is expected to contain 350 e9m3 of natural gas and 45 million ton of gas condensate.[7][8] subsequently boosting Azerbaijan's gas reserves from 2.2 e12m3 to 2.5 e12m3.[9] According to Azerbaijani authorities, the production is likely to begin in 2021–2022. However, the company intends to drill an additional exploration well at a depth of 4000 m and if the results are positive, the operator will be in position to immediately establish a fixed platform, accelerating production by 5 to 6 years.[10]

Significance

The discovery of vast gas reserves at Absheron field will positively affect the job market in Azerbaijan and significantly boost the Azerbaijani economy.[11] According to experts, Nabucco project may be realized on the basis of Azerbaijani gas alone if this find is exploited properly by Total, which also holds a 10% stake in South Caucasus Pipeline Consortium.[12]

After the selection of Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) as the main pipeline to deliver natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, Absheron field diminished its significance since the capacity of the pipeline will not need additional volumes of gas.