bp has let a contract to SOCAR Petrofac, a joint venture between State Oil Co. of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and Petrofac, to support the Azeri Central East (ACE) project in Azerbaijan.
The ACE project is the latest phase of development in the Azeri, Chirag, and Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) oil field contract area in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea.
In April 2020, partners in the ACG complex approved the $6-billion investment for the Azeri Central East platform, expected able to process as much as 100,000 b/d of oil. The 48-slot production, drilling, and production platform will be installed in 140 m of water midway between the existing Central Azeri and East Azeri platforms. New infield pipelines will connect the facility to ACG Phase 2 oil and gas pipelines that carry production to the Sangachal terminal near Baku. Construction is in progress and first oil is expected in 2023.
The scope of work under the contract—valued at $25 million by the JV—includes provision of commissioning technicians and other specialist personnel, as well as other associated services to support the project at sites both onshore and offshore, the service provider said in a June 24 statement.
SOCAR Petrofac will appoint specialists for the commissioning stage of the topside fabrication, which will take place onshore at the Bayil Yard, where the topside of the future platform is being constructed by SOCAR’s Azfen. After onshore commissioning, it will be transported and positioned on the jacket offshore. Work includes, but is not limited to, mechanical and electrical installation, instrumentation, and telecommunications.