Baku: BP, as the operator of the Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) field development, has successfully deployed multilateral well technology (MLT) for the first time at ACG, APA-Economics reports, citing BP. This significant development aims to maximize recovery and sustain long-term production from one of the Caspian's most mature assets.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the introduction of MLT addresses technical challenges associated with drilling through complex formations at ACG, while also managing constraints on available platform slots. By enabling multiple reservoir penetrations from a single wellbore, multilateral wells offer an effective solution for enhancing reservoir access, improving drainage efficiency, and maximizing value from existing infrastructure.
The new technological approach is central to BP's broader decline management strategy for ACG, supporting long-term production sustainability while optimizing capital efficiency. As ACG transitions into a more complex and mature phase, multilateral technology is expected to play a critical role in unlocking additional reserves and extending the economic life of the asset. The application of this well design in ACG demonstrates BP's commitment to deploying technologies that maximize recovery from existing assets. Innovations like this are essential for sustaining long-term production and unlocking additional value.
The first MLT well, C44, has been successfully delivered from the West Azeri platform, marking a landmark achievement as the first multilateral well ever drilled in the Caspian. It demonstrates the feasibility and value of this technology in ACG's complex reservoir environment. Delivered with strong safety performance and no incidents, the first MLT well was completed 30 days ahead of plan, with both drilling and completion phases significantly outperforming timelines. This achievement reflects disciplined planning, high-quality execution, and effective management of subsurface uncertainty.
BP plans a broader campaign to deploy multilateral wells across the field, beginning with three MLT wells in 2026, including C44 and D41, both scheduled to come online in the first half of the year. The longer-term plan includes further MLT wells across the ACG asset planned for drilling between 2027 and 2028, reinforcing the technology's role as a key enabler of future production from this mature asset.
Recognizing that no single multilateral solution can address the full range of reservoir conditions in ACG, the development strategy focuses on deploying the optimal technology configuration for each subsurface target. This will involve combining MLT with other technologies such as horizontal drilling, advanced geo-steering, and smart completions, unlocking significant potential to enhance recovery across the field.