In the 1st quarter of 2006 the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), except joint ventures and operating companies, drilled 25,092 meters against 37,329 meters in 200, SOCAR told Trend . A total of 24,842 meters fell to operating drilling against 37,095 meters, 250 meters - exploration drilling against 234 meters.
In March SOCAR, except joint ventures and operating companies, drilled 6,585 meters or 3,251 meters less than the plan. The Company did not carry our exploration drilling.
In accordance with the drilling program, SOCAR supposes to drill 132,00 meters in 2006 (the same in 2005), but despite operating drilling no oil production growth is forecasted. At present the efforts of SOCAR is aimed at keeping of the current extraction amount in the same level.