Baku: bp, as operator of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field development, today announced on behalf of the ACG co-venturers - SOCAR, MOL, INPEX, ExxonMobil, TPAO, and ONGC Videsh - the commencement of non-associated gas (NAG) production operations on the ACG field in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea. This marks the first-ever commercial gas production operations on ACG, one of the world's largest oil-producing fields.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the initial NAG well, drilled from the existing West Chirag platform, is a critical first step in unlocking ACG's significant non-associated gas resource potential. As well as delivering early production, the well provides important reservoir and flow data, supporting appraisal of the resource base to inform future full-field gas development.
The NAG resources of ACG are believed to be significant, with an estimated 4 trillion cubic feet of recoverable reserves and a potential upside to 6 trillion cubic feet. Gio Cristofoli, bp's regional president for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye, stated that this development is a significant milestone for Azerbaijan and the ACG co-venturers. ACG's history of nearly three decades of oil production continues to evolve as it embarks on this new phase of gas production, contributing to Azerbaijan's energy supply to Europe and supporting the country's energy transition efforts.
ACG's first NAG production operations have begun at the initial producer well drilled last year into two priority NAG reservoirs - the shallower Qirmaki Upper Sand and the deeper Qirmaki Lower Sand - both located beneath the producing oil reservoirs. The well confirmed the presence of gas resources in the Qirmaki Upper Sand reservoir and encountered high-pressure gas in the Qirmaki Lower Sand reservoir.
The first NAG operations are centered on the Qirmaki Lower Sand reservoir for an initial phase of well and reservoir testing activities. Gas and condensate produced from the well will be directed to the Sangachal terminal via the existing ACG infrastructure. This integration of oil and gas development systems facilitates the efficient use of existing offshore facilities.