Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 19 / Trend E.Ismayilov /
The State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) continues studying the seabed, water depth and underwater infrastructure at the Bahar offshore gas condensate field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, a source in the company said.
"Presently, work to study the seabed and underwater infrastructure is underway and it is difficult to speak about the completion date," the source said.
Earlier, SOCAR's Geophysics and Geology Department completed underwater investigations of the pipeline connecting platform No.1 / 11, which starts in the Bahar field and ends (No. 30) in the Gum Deniz field. The pipeline is 21.5 kilometers long and 325 millimeters in diameter.
The company has not also yet finished work on 3D geophysical studies of the Bahar-2 promising offshore structure. Earlier the source said that the 3D study can be completed in January and February 2010.
Earlier, SOCAR signed a PSA contract with Bahar Energy Limited for the exploration, rehabilitation and development of the Bahar and Gum Deniz offshore fields in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea. Under the second part of the contract, which involves the exploration of the Bahar-2 structure, plans include drilling one exploration well in three years and another in the fourth year. According to preliminary calculations, Bahar Energy Limited's investment volume for 25 years will amount to $1 billion.
Bahar has operated since 1969 and is located 40 kilometers southeast of Baku. So far, the field has produced over 16.8 million tons of oil and approximately 128.7 billion cubic meters of gas.
During the next five years, experts predict a decline in gas production at Bahar of 15 percent and in condensate production of 10 percent.
SOCAR is engaged in gas production in Azerbaijan. The company produces fuel at the fields by its own expense. The bulk part of the produced gas is directed to meet the demand in the domestic market of Azerbaijan and some is exported to Georgia. Under the technical operation of BP, the company produces gas from the Shah Deniz field, with the participation of foreign partners. Gas is supplied to the Azerbaijani market, as well as exported to Georgia and Turkey via the South Caucasus gas pipeline. Azerbaijan also receives the associated gas produced by the Azerbaijan International Operating Company from the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli field.
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