Azerbaijan, Baku, August 20 / Trend E. Ismaylov /
The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is conducting work on developing a programme to rectify the consequences of the accident that took place at the Bulla-Deniz offshore gas field, SOCAR head Rovnag Abdullayev told journalists on Monday.
According to him, the fire is still burning and SOCAR specialists and the Ministry of Emergency Situations are conducting work at the accident site.
Also, according to Abdullayev, British BP which is a partner in major oil and gas projects in Azerbaijan has offered assistance.
Abdullayev stated that currently work is being conducted to identify the cause of the accident. According to preliminary data, the reason for the accident was high pressure which emerged when passing the productive layer on the eighth horizon.
Abdullayev noted that extinguishing the fire is not a big problem and the situation is currently under control.
The main task which currently stands before SOCAR is to save the well which has demonstrated great potential.
The elimination programme that is being developed primarily implies saving the productive well.
As a result of the accident, some 62 platform workers were evacuated and there are no victims.
The fire engulfed exploration well No.90 in the north-east wing of Bulla-Deniz. The sea depth at the field is 26.5 metres.
According to SOCAR, ignition happened at night on Saturday during drilling at a depth of 5868 metres.
"An open gas blowout took place at 23:30 local time which was followed by fire," the report said.
All workers who were at the platform were evacuated to the shore, according to the information.