OREANDA-NEWS. July 06, 2012. A ‘Notice of Discovery and its Commerciality’ for the Absheron discovery was submitted on June, 1 on behalf of the partnership Socar - Total - GDF Suez by operator Total E&P Absheron.

This step is an important milestone in the frame work of the Agreement on Exploration, Development and Production Sharing for the Absheron offshore block in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea (EDPSA) signed on February 27, 2009. It is a confirmation of the importance of the discovery, announced in September 2011, on the Absheron X-2 well.

The well was drilled in 474 meters of water depth and reached a depth of 6874 m. One of the hydrocarbon bearing intervals was tested at 960 thousand cubic meters per day (km3/d) of non associated gas. During this production test, nearly 400 cubic meters per day (m3/d) – 2500 barrels per day (b/d) - of a 42,5° API  condensate were also produced.

The well results indicate gas resources of 150 to 300 billions of cubic meters (Bcm) – 5 to 10 trillions of cubic feet (Tcf) - of non-associated gas with condensates in the Balakhany and Fasila formations on the Northern compartment of the structure. The elongated structure straddles approximately 270 square-kilometers and the cumulative net pay is greater than 160 meters thick.

Operations on Absheron X-2 wells are continuing with the drilling of a side track toward the Northern part of the structure.

Yves-Louis Darricarrere, President of the Exploration & Production branch of Total S.A. commented: "This declaration of commerciality is the result of the success of our more aggressive exploration program and our desire to bring discovered hydrocarbons rapidly into production. It marks an important step in our activities as operator in Azerbaijan and our good cooperation with Socar and GDF Suez ".

The Absheron field is located around 100 kilometers South East of Baku and could be developed with a limited number of wells for a first phase of development. The Work Program of the partnership now includes studies and surveys to better dimension this development. A 3D seismic campaign will be shot in 2013 and more appraisal wells may be drilled to better assess the extent and the geometry of the structure.

Total subsidiary, Total E&P Absheron (TEP AB) is the operator of the Absheron license with 40% equity. The partners are Socar (40%) and GDF Suez (20%).