SOCAR explores sea depth in several perspective fields in Caspian

"The upper section of the Umid and Babek fields are being exploring," the source said.

The oil stability in sea depth in the area is being exploring. "The exploration works cover the whole area as the fields are locate next to each other," the source said.

SOCAR is planning to complete exploratory drilling on Umid field until the end of the year.

Two block platform Umid-1 is being built on the field. After construction of the platform, a prospect well will be drilled. Exploration drilling on the Umid field will begin in April-May.
SOCAR geologists assess the total gas reserves in the field at 300 billion cubic meters.

SOCAR needs the platform as part of a program to improve gas production in fields developed using its own funds. Umid-1 was built on the basis of the unfinished Chiraq-6 platform. It is the largest facility in the program with a height of 72 meters. The platform will be placed 15 kilometers from Bulla-deniz offshore field at a depth of 58 meters. Six gas wells are planned to be drilled there. Project depth of the first exploring drill totals 6,500 meters at the structure.

SOCAR may launch prospecting work on the perspective offshore Babek field to increase gas production volume before 2015. "This is a perspective field with rich gas deposits. If we will success on Umid, then we will start prospecting work on Babek in 2010," SOCAR Vice President Khoshbakht Yusifzade said.

/Trend Capital/