Absheron gas field

The Absheron gas field is an offshore natural gas field in

the Caspian Sea. The field is located 100 kilometres (62 mi) Absheron gas field
southeast of Baku and 25 kilometres (16 mi) northeast of Country Azerbaijan
the Shah Deniz gas field. It covers approximately 270 square Region Caspian Sea
kilometres (100 sq mi).[1][2] Offshore/onshore Offshore
Partners of the Absheron field are Total S.A. (40%), SOCAR (40%), Operators Total S.A.
and GDF Suez (20%). Operator of the field is Total.[3] Partners Total S.A.
SOCAR
GDF Suez

History edit
Field history
Discovery 1960
Absheron block has been discovered as a result of seismic Start of 2021 (expected)
exploration by Azerbaijani scientists in 1960 and was production
commissioned for exploration works in 1993. The Production
first production sharing agreement on the Absheron field was Estimated gas in 350 ×109 m3(12 ×1012 cu ft)
signed between SOCAR and ChevronTexacoon August 1, 1997. place
According to the agreement, contractors conducted three
seismic studies of 634 square kilometres (245 sq mi) of the block and drilled an exploration well in its southern section
at a depth of 520 metres (1,710 ft).[4] In 2001, gas condensate beds were found on the depth of 6,500 metres
(21,300 ft)[5]; however, these reserves were estimated as commercially unprofitable and Chevron quit the project in
December 2005.[6]

The new contract between Total and SOCAR was signed on February 27, 2009.[6]The agreement which oversaw drilling
of three exploration wells within the next three years was ratified by Azerbaijani Parliament in mid May, 2009.[7] Later
GDF Suez acquired 20% stake from Total.[3] The area stipulated in the agreement covered 747 square kilometres
(288 sq mi).[4]

Significant natural gas resources were discovered in September 2011 at the Absheron X-2 exploration well drilled by
the Heydar Aliyev drilling rig, operated by Maersk Drilling, at a depth of 6,550 metres (21,490 ft).[1][3]

Reserves edit

The field is expected to contain 350 billion cubic metres (12 trillion cubic feet) of natural gas and 45 million ton of gas
condensate.[3][8] subsequently boosting Azerbaijan's gas reserves from 2.2 trillion cubic metres (78 trillion cubic feet) to
2.5 trillion cubic metres (88 trillion cubic feet).[9] According to Azerbaijani authorities, the production is likely to being in
2021-2022. However, the company intends to drill an additional exploration well at a depth of 4,000 metres (13,000 ft)
and if the results are positive, the operator will be in position to immediately establish a fixed platform, accelerating
production by 5 to 6 years.[10]

Significance edit

The discovery of vast gas reserves at Absheron field will positively affect the job market in Azerbaijan and significantly
boost the Azerbaijani economy.[11] According to experts, Nabucco project may be realized on the basis of Azerbaijani
gas alone if this find is exploited properly by Total, which also holds a 10% stake in South Caucasus Pipeline
Consortium.[12]
After the selection TAP as main pipeline to deliver natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, Absheron field has diminished
its significance since the capacity of the pipeline will not need additional volumes of gas.