Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 12 /Trend, E. Ismayilov/
The topsides and drilling equipment of a new platform of "Chirag oil project" (an increase of oil production at Azerbaijani Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli oil field block) were sailed away, a source in the oil-gas market told Trend today.
According to the source, after a long preparatory work, the topsides were sailed away on the morning of September 12.
"On September 15, topsides must be placed in the contract area," a source said. "On September 16, the ship, transporting the topsides, must return to Baku."
Construction of the topsides and production of the drilling equipment for the platform are carried out by the consortium of companies Amec-Tekfen-Azfen (ATA), which has already carried out such operations on one of the technological platforms within the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli project.
The jacket of the platform was sailed away on April 20, 2013.
The Chirag oil project envisages the construction of Western Chirag platform, which will be installed 170 meters of sea depth between already operating Chirag and Guneshli production platforms.
Chirag oil project envisages $6 billion worth investment. The start of production from the platform is planned for late 2013.
In total, it is planned to produce over 300 million barrels of oil within the project. (by the end of the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli contract in 2024).
The contract on development of Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli offshore field was concluded in 1994. The share participation in the contract is distributed as follows: BP (operator in Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli) - 35.78 percent, Chevron - 11.27 percent, AzACG- 11.65 percent, Statoil - 8.56 percent, Exxon- 8 percent, TPAO- 6.75 percent, Itochu-4.3 per cent and ONGC -2.72 per cent.