SOCAR offers partners new exploration opportunities onshore and in the Caspian Sea

SOCAR is stepping up exploration activities onshore and in the Middle and South Caspian and is offering a number of projects to potential partners for joint development, SOCAR Vice President Ayaza Javadova said.

Javadova said the company's key objective was to accelerate exploration activities to help meet growing global energy demand.

She said interest from international companies in Azerbaijan's exploration opportunities had increased following the launch of data rooms last year, with some agreements already signed and a number of projects still under negotiation.

Among the priority onshore areas, she named Luba-Khazryani, Shamakhi-Gobustan, Lakitjakizi and the Lower Kura region.

According to Javadova, these areas have been matured to a stage where they can be offered to partners for joint work.

In the Middle Caspian, SOCAR is targeting not only traditional productive horizons but also deeper pre-productive reservoirs and previously underexplored shallow intervals.

Javadova said the Goshadash structure was at a ready-to-drill stage, while the Gunduz project, being developed with BP, was also approaching the next phase.

In the South Caspian, the company's focus is on gas and gas-condensate prospects, including Habib, Nakhchivan, Gafurlu, Mashal, Shah Deniz, Maral and Surakhany.

Javadova also said SOCAR was actively pursuing unconventional resource opportunities and stratigraphic traps, viewing the Middle Caspian as one of its key exploration focus areas.

N.Tebrizli