SOCAR prepares for exploration drilling in offshore field

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) plans to begin exploratory drilling on the Umid offshore field in April, a source in the SOCAR said.
"The exploration well will be drilled via new China-produced ZJ70/4500DZ drilling rig," Complex Drilling Works trust head Isgandar Shirali said earlier.

The well will be drilled by Complex Drilling Works. The new drilling rig will enable to drill a well with 7,000-7,500 meters of depth.
"The construction of the platform is underway at the moment. The drilling will begin as soon platform is constructed," a source said.

The exploitation of Umid offshore platform is necessary as a part of the realization of program on the increase in gas output in the fields developed independently. SOCAR plans to produce 8 bn cm of gas in 2009, 7 bn of which will be delivered to the government.
Umid-1 platform built on the base of unfinished Chiraq-6 platform is the largest facility under the program with a height of 71 meters. The platform will be installed 15 km of Bulla Deniz field at the depth of 58 meters.

A total of six gas wells are expected to be drilled from the platform.
The total gas reserves in Umid offshore field is estimated at 200-300 bn cm.