bp, as the operator of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field development project, announced today on behalf of ACG partners — SOCAR, MOL, INPEX, ExxonMobil, TPAO and ONGC Videsh — that free natural gas (FNG) production operations have commenced at the ACG field located in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, bp told APA-Economics.
It was reported that this marks the start of the first commercial gas production operations at ACG, one of the world's largest oil fields.
The first FNG well drilled from the existing West Chirag platform is the first important step towards unlocking the potential of ACG’s large free natural gas reserves. In addition to initial production, the well will provide important reservoir and flow data, helping to assess gas reserves for future full-scale development plans.
The volume of ACG’s FNG reserves is considered significant — with approximately 4 trillion cubic feet of recoverable reserves and the potential to increase to as much as 6 trillion cubic feet.
bp's regional president for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye, Giovanni Cristofoli, said: “Today is a very important day for Azerbaijan and the ACG partners. ACG has a long and successful history. Having produced oil for almost 30 years, this field is now opening a new chapter and continues to have the potential to create value for the country and its investors.
“By beginning the gas production era alongside oil production, ACG will now play a leading role in the regional industry as a unique integrated oil and gas field, contribute to Azerbaijan’s plans to increase energy supplies to Europe, and support the country’s efforts towards the energy transition.”
The first FNG production operations at ACG have commenced in the first production well targeting two priority FNG reservoirs located beneath the oil-bearing formations that were drilled last year and are currently producing — the shallower Fasila Sandy reservoir and the deeper Balakhany Sandy reservoir sequence.
The well has confirmed the presence of gas reserves in the Fasila Sandy reservoir sequence and identified high-pressure gas reserves in the Balakhany Sandy reservoir sequence.
The initial FNG production operations have commenced in the Balakhany Sandy reservoir sequence and, in addition to representing the initial production phase, also include testing activities in the well and reservoir sequence.
The gas and condensate produced from the well will be transported to the Sangachal Terminal using the existing ACG infrastructure through the integration of oil and gas processing systems, creating opportunities for efficient utilization of the existing offshore facilities.
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