Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 9 / Trend E. Ismayilov /
The depth of exploration well SDX-06, drilling of which is carried out in the second phase of the development of Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, exceeds 4,200 meters. The designed depth of the well is 6,500 meters, a source in oil and gas market said.
"The depth of well currently exceeds 4,200 meters, and now here works are underway on launching 13-inch casing into the hole," the source said.
Earlier the source said that, the drilling of the exploration well may be completed in May next year.
The well is being drilled by the Istiglal semi-submersible drilling rig at water depths ranging up to 100 meters.
Peak production is forecast at over 8.6-9 billion cubic meters. Gas production may be brought up to 25 billion cubic meters per year under the second stage of development.
Gas is transported to Georgia and Turkey via the South Caucasus Pipeline, and Azerbaijan receives part of gas (part is purchased) within the project.
The field's reserves are estimated at 1.2 trillion cubic meters during the first stage.
The contract to develop Shah Deniz was signed June 4, 1996. Participants are BP (operator) - 25.5 percent, Statoil Hydro - 25.5 percent, NICO - 10 percent, Total - 10 percent, LukAgip - 10 percent, TPAO - 9 percent, and SOCAR - 10 percent.