The SDX-04 drilled in the south-western part of the Shah Deniz field well has currently reached over 5500 metres of depth, BP Azerbaijan, an operator of the Shah Deniz project told Trend.
The well will be drilled to a total depth of more than 7000 meters. The previous three exploration and appraisal wells (SDX-01, SDX-02 and SDX-03) were designed to appraise and delineate the Stage 1 reserves in northern and eastern flank of the field.
The SDX-04 well will appraise and delineate the resources in the southern flank of the field and will also test for gas presence in deeper horizons. He well is spudded by the Istiglal semi-submersible drilling rig in the south-western part of the field.
As of initial estimation, gas production from the field is expected to increase twice. As the drilling point of the well is near the Araz-Alov-Sharg field, the field is expected to contain big gas reserves, the SOCAR urges.
The SDX-04 will take approximately six months to drill and production testing could extend the wells duration by several months in order to confirm the commerciality of the gas reserves in the southern area of the field.
The parties to the Shah Deniz Production Sharing Agreement are: BP (operator 25.5%), Statoil (25.5%), the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (Socar - 10%), LUKoil (10%), NICO (10%), Total (10%), and TPAO (9%).
Shah Deniz field is located in the water depth of from 50 to 600 m, approximately 70km southeast of Baku. A PSA on Shah Deniz was rarified on 17 October 1996.