Absheron gas field
{{Short description|Offshore Gas Field in Caspian Sea}}
{{Infobox oil field
| name = Absheron gas field
| image =
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| location_map = Caspian Sea
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| country = Azerbaijan
| region = Caspian Sea
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| offonshore = Offshore
| operators = Total S.A.
| partners = Total S.A.
SOCAR
GDF Suez
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| discovery = 1960
| start_development =
| start_production = 2021 (expected)
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| est_gas_bcm = 350
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File:Absheron geologic cross section.png{{Update|date=July 2022}}
The Absheron gas field ({{langx|az|Abşeron yatağı}}) is an offshore natural gas field in the Caspian Sea. The field is located {{convert|100|km}} southeast of Baku and {{convert|25|km}} northeast of the Shah Deniz gas field. It covers approximately {{convert|270|km2}}.
{{cite news
| newspaper = Upstream Online
| publisher = NHST Media Group
| title = Total in 'major' Caspian gas hit
| url= http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article277533.ece
| date = 2011-09-09
| accessdate=2011-09-18
| url-access = subscription
}}
{{cite press release |url=http://www.total.com/en/about-total/news/news-940500.html&idActu=2636 |title= Azerbaijan: Total makes a major gas discovery in the Caspian Sea |publisher=Total S.A. | date=2011-09-09 |accessdate=2011-09-19}}
Partners of the Absheron field are Total S.A. (40%), SOCAR (40%), and GDF Suez (20%). Operator of the field is Total.
History
The Absheron block was discovered as a result of seismic exploration by Azerbaijani scientists in 1960 and was commissioned for exploration works in 1993. The first production sharing agreement on the Absheron field was signed between SOCAR and ChevronTexaco on August 1, 1997. According to the agreement, contractors conducted three seismic studies of {{convert|634|km2}} of the block and drilled an exploration well in its southern section at a depth of {{convert|520|m}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.525.az/view.php?lang=az&menu=15&id=34556 |title="Abşeron" yatağının karbohidrogen ehtiyatları açıqlanıb |trans-title=Hydrocarbons at Absheron field have been discovered |publisher=525-ci qazet |first=Gunay |last=Farhadgyzy |date=2011-09-13 |accessdate=2011-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331011439/http://www.525.az/view.php?lang=az&menu=15&id=34556 |archive-date=2012-03-31 }} In 2001, gas condensate beds were found on the depth of {{convert|6500|m}};{{Cite web|url=https://www.ep.total.com/en/expertise/drilling-wells/two-one-well-absheron|title = Offshore Drilling: A "Two-in-One" Well for Absheron in Azerbaijan|date = 19 September 2018}} however, these reserves were estimated as commercially unprofitable and Chevron quit the project in December 2005.
The new contract between Total and SOCAR was signed on February 27, 2009.
{{cite news
|url= http://azerireport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1051
|title= SOCAR and Total Sign An Agreement On Absheron Field
|publisher= Azeri Report
|date=2009-02-27
|accessdate=2011-09-18}}
The agreement which oversaw drilling of three exploration wells within the next three years was ratified by Azerbaijani Parliament in mid May, 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2009/05/22/Baku-ratifies-deal-with-Total/UPI-39671243012089/ |title=Baku ratifies deal with Total |publisher=UPI |date=2009-05-22 |accessdate=2011-09-19}} Later GDF Suez acquired 20% stake from Total. The area stipulated in the agreement covered {{convert|747|km2}}.
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 {{convert|6550|m}}.
Reserves
The field is expected to contain {{convert|350|e9m3|abbr=off}} of natural gas and 45 million ton of gas condensate.
{{cite news
|url= http://en.trend.az/capital/energy/1930101.html
|title= SOCAR names volume of Absheron field's gas reserves
|publisher= Trend News Agency
|date=2011-09-12
|accessdate=2011-09-18}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-09/total-claims-major-gas-discovery-in-azeri-caspian-sea-1-.html |title=Total Makes 'Major' Natural-Gas Discovery in Caspian Sea Off Azerbaijan | agency=.Bloomberg |first=Zulfugar |last=Agayev |date=2011-09-09 |accessdate=2011-09-19}} subsequently boosting Azerbaijan's gas reserves from {{convert|2.2|e12m3|abbr=off}} to {{convert|2.5|e12m3|abbr=off}}.{{cite news |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL5E7KC2F320110912 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928112106/http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL5E7KC2F320110912 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-28 |title=Total's discovery boosts Azerbaijan's gas reserves |work=Reuters |date=2011-09-12 |accessdate=2011-09-19}} According to Azerbaijani authorities, the production is likely to begin in 2021–2022. However, the company intends to drill an additional exploration well at a depth of {{convert|4000|m}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/news/63990.html |title=SOCAR has announced the stocks of "Absheron" gas field |newspaper=Georgian Times |date=2011-09-12 |accessdate=2011-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402011120/http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/news/63990.html |archive-date=2012-04-02 |url-status=dead }}
Significance
The discovery of vast gas reserves at Absheron field will positively affect the job market in Azerbaijan and significantly boost the Azerbaijani economy.{{cite news |url=http://en.trend.az/news/politics/1929637.html |title=MP: Gas discovered in "Absheron" field has great economic and political significance |agency=Trend News Agency |author=M.Aliyev |date=2011-09-11 |accessdate=2011-09-19}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Fresh-Hopes-for-Nabucco-Pipeline-following-Totals-Natural-Gas-Discovery.html |title=Fresh Hopes for Nabucco Pipeline following Total's Natural Gas Discovery |publisher= OilPrice.com |author=John C.K. Daly |date=2011-09-15 |accessdate=2011-09-19}}
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.
References
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Portal|Azerbaijan|Energy}}
{{Energy in Azerbaijan}}
{{coord missing|Azerbaijan}}