Offshore staff

BAKU, Azerbaijan -- BP has discovered more gas and condensate in its Shah Deniz field, 70-km (43.5 mi) southeast of Baku.

The SDX04 appraisal/exploration well found a new high-pressure reservoir in the southwestern part of Shah Deniz, below the currently producing reservoir. BP also says the drilling depth, beyond 7,300 m (23,950 ft), was a new record for a Caspian Sea well.

Additionally, the well encountered gas-condensate in the currently producing horizons, extending the field's known limit to the south. Gas flowed at 35MMcf/d on test, the maximum capacity of the onboard equipment.

BP believes there is sufficient gas for a second-stage development. This could be larger in scope than the first-phase project, potentially delivering 8.6 Bcm per year (303.7 Bcf per year).

11/14/2007