Azerbaijan, Baku, 1 August / Trend corr. E.Ismayilov / Bayil Limani Offshore Exploration Drilling Unit of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is to finish enlargement of the Gunashli -19 platform in order to drill a new gas well.
"Drilling works will be completed soon and the first well will be drilled," is stated by the company.
Drilling of wells in the enlarged platform will be directed to increase the oil production. Seven new gas wells are expected to be put into operation in the Gunashli field in 2008. The current daily gas production volume in Gunashli is 17.5mnl cu m. The oil and gas production department '28 May' is expected to reach gas production volume to 7bln cu m against 4.5bln in 2007.
SOCAR has approved a social and economic development of the oil and gas production department '28 May' program for 2008-2010. '28 May', which develops the shallow part of Gunashli field, provides 60% of oil production and 70% of gas production by SOCAR.
Program envisages construction of new units to increase drilling, to upgrade oil-field equipment and transport and pipeline system.
Program directed to stabilize oil production and to increase natural gas production. At present, SOCAR implements its own program to increase gas production. Under the program, the volume of natural gas produced by SOCAR may touch 8bln cu m. In 2008, SOCAR plans to produce 8bln cu m gas.
The Unit is planning to drill 19 oil and gas wells this year. About 13 wells are expected to be put into commission in 2008. Nine wells will be drilled in the Gunahli field, six - in Oil Rocks field and four -in Alat Daniz field.
Furthermore, the Unit plans to drill over 36,000 metres in 2008.
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