bp unlocks major gas resource at Azerbaijan's ACG field
(WO) — bp and its partners have commenced commercial non-associated gas (NAG) production from the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field offshore Azerbaijan, marking the first gas production phase in the history of one of the world's largest oil developments.
The initial gas production comes from a well drilled from the West Chirag platform in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea. The project is expected to provide critical reservoir and flow data that will support appraisal of ACG's broader gas resource base and inform future development plans.
According to bp, the field's non-associated gas resources are estimated at approximately 4 Tcf of recoverable reserves, with potential upside to 6 Tcf.
“This is a big day for Azerbaijan and for the ACG co-venturers,” said Gio Cristofoli, Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye at bp. “ACG has a long and successful history and now, nearly three decades into oil production, the field continues to hold potential to deliver value for the nation and its investors as it starts this new chapter.”
The initial well was drilled into two target reservoirs located beneath ACG's producing oil zones. The well confirmed gas resources in the Qirmaki Upper Sand reservoir and encountered high-pressure gas in the deeper Qirmaki Lower Sand reservoir, which will be the focus of initial testing and production activities.
Produced gas and condensate will be transported to the Sangachal Terminal using existing ACG infrastructure, allowing the project to leverage established offshore facilities and export systems.
“With the launch of its gas journey alongside oil, ACG is now uniquely positioned as an integrated oil and gas asset,” Cristofoli said. “The project contributes to Azerbaijan's plans to increase energy supplies to Europe while supporting the country's energy transition efforts.”
bp operates the ACG field on behalf of partners SOCAR, MOL, INPEX, ExxonMobil, TPAO and ONGC Videsh. Oil production from ACG began in 1997 and has made the field a cornerstone of Azerbaijan's energy sector for nearly three decades.
