BP spuds first well on Shafag-Asiman offshore Azerbaijan

    Jan. 16, 2020
    The semisubmersible Heydar Aliyev has spudded the first exploration well on the Shafag-Asiman block in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea, according to BP.
    (Courtesy Caspian Drilling Co.)
    The semisubmersible Heydar Aliyev is drilling the SAX01 well on the Shafag-Asiman block in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea.
    The semisubmersible Heydar Aliyev is drilling the SAX01 well on the Shafag-Asiman block in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea.

    Offshore staff

    BAKU, Azerbaijan – The semisubmersible Heydar Aliyev has spudded the first exploration well on the Shafag-Asiman block in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea, according to BP.

    BP is operator and holds a 50% interest in the Shafag-Asiman production sharing agreement (PSA) with partner SOCAR holding a 50% interest.

    The SAX01 well is the first to be drilled in the contract area and is in accordance with BP's obligations under the PSA that was ratified by the Azerbaijani parliament in 2011.

    The well is planned to reach total depth of up to 7,000 m (22,966 ft), which is expected to take around nine months.

    The Shafag-Asiman block lies about 125 km (78 mi) southeast of Baku, and covers an area of some 1,100 sq km (425 sq mi). Water depths are 650-800 m (2,133-2,625 ft).

    01/16/2020