Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 9
By Emil Ismayilov - Trend:
In the coming months the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) will complete the drilling of a second appraisal well as part of the creation of underground gas storage in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, a source in SOCAR told Trend on Jan. 9.
Drilling of appraisal wells on the basis of Nehram salt deposits is being conducted at the Tumbul site.
The source said that currently the second appraisal well's depth is 683 meters. Its projected depth stands at 820 meters.
"The work continues on the creation of underground gas storage in Nakhchivan. In particular, drilling of the second well will be completed soon. Afterwards drilling of wells will continue," the source stressed.
Earlier SOCAR completed drilling of the first appraisal well. Its depth exceeded 1200 meters.
The process of creating storage facilities in the future will require conducting work on leaching salt deposits, according to the source.
Currently, Azerbaijan is carrying out swap deliveries of gas to Iran in order to provide the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with gas. It was decided to create underground gas storage on the salt deposit's base to secure the sustainability of gas supplies to Nakhchivan Autonomus Republic. The underground gas storage with 200-300 million cubic meters of capacity will be enough for meeting the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic's needs.
Earlier SOCAR First Vice-President Khoshbakht Yusifzade said that, according to initial reports the depth of the salt here is 52 meters, while 40 meters thickness of bedding is appropriate for the creation of underground gas storage.
Currently two underground gas storage facilities - Kalmaz and Garadagh are operating in Azerbaijan.
Translated by M.L.
Edited by C.N.