Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.10
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Caspian Marine Services Limited (CMS), which operates a fleet of offshore marine support vessels, serving the offshore oil and gas exploration and production industry, is to join the seismic survey on the prospective block D230 in the North Absheron basin in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea with two vessels, Zamig Ismayilov, Director of CMS told Trend.
“In addition BP has requested for a firefighting and a rescue vessel. We have started talks with BP on providing two vessels for D230. The first contract is to be signed soon, but depending on offshore operations and BP readiness. The second contract will be signed in December. The contracts will be signed for two or three years, almost one year of seismic support and first test wells and explore drillings, with the possibility of extension. We have a ready-made plan for vessel conversion, which has received BP’s endorsement support,” he said.
Ismayilov noted that seismic survey at D230 will be carried out by Gilavar vessel.
“We have also chartered Turkan vessel together with our alliance partner Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company CJSC, which we intend to involve in works at D230 block, specifically for Gilavar supply support” he added.
On April 26, 2018, SOCAR and BP signed a PSA for joint exploration of the prospective block D230 in the North Absheron basin in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.
The parties have equal equity shares in the agreement.
Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey (AGT) at BP Gary Jones told Trend that 3D seismic survey on block D230 will begin in September 2019.
He noted that depending on the results of the seismic survey, drilling of the first exploration well on the block may start in the middle of next year.
Block D230 is considered promising in terms of the presence of oil reserves, added Jones.
The Azerbaijan Branch of CMS started its operations in Azerbaijan in the early 2006, the offices were located in Baku as the capital city and main shipping center of Azerbaijan. The same year CMS formed a strategic Alliance with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR). As a member of the Alliance, CMS were granted access to all maritime facilities and fleet of vessels controlled by SOCAR. In early 2014 following a restructuring of the shipping industry in Azerbaijan, CMS has formed a strategic alliance with the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company.
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