4,200 m have been drilled to date in the fourth estimation well (SDX-04) located in northwestern part of Shah-Deniz oilfield, Trend reports with reference to SOCAR officials. Design depth of SDX-04 is some 7,000 m. Three preceding wells for exploration and estimation were designed in order to assess and shaping the border of reserve area in the northern part of the oilfield under Stage 1.
SDX-04 well will enable estimate and shape the borders of the south part of the oilfield. Besides, the tests will be performed in order to find potential deposits of gas in the deeper horizons. The oilfield is drilled from semi-submersible drilling rig Istiglal.
Specialists mention the significant figures on gas reserves. By preliminary estimations, the gas reserves may be raised almost in twice. Due to the closeness of the current well to В"ArazВ" - В"AlovВ"- В"ShargВ" structure, big reserves of gas are estimated here as well. В"However, since this structure is located in deep waters, just like Shah Deniz oilfield, this may influence the gas
cost price rising alongside the drilling expensesВ", - experts claim. One of variants of the project cost reduction may become the forwarded drilling of all wells with the following installation of production platform.
Drilling of SDX-04 well started in January 2006. The whole operation will take 6 months. Then A few months will need to test it and confirm presence of expedient gas reserves in the area.
Shah Deniz PSA stakeholders are the following: Р'Р (operator 25.5%), Statoil (25.5%), SOCAR (10%), LUKOil (10%), NICO (10%), Total (10%) and TPAO (9%). Shah Deniz oilfield is located at depth 50 to 600 m, approximately 70 northwest of Baku. PSA on the oilfield was signed October 17, 1996.