Turkey’s TPAO eyes BP’s former Caspian projects, seeks role in Dostlug field

Turkey’s state energy company TPAO is seeking to expand its role in Azerbaijan’s oil and gas sector, showing interest in the D230 block in the Caspian Sea previously explored by BP and in reviving talks on the Dostlug field on the Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan maritime border, Azerbaijani media reported on Thursday.

BP carried out 3D seismic studies at D230 in 2020 but has not moved forward with drilling. Dostlug, discovered in 1986, holds estimated reserves of about 50 million tonnes of oil and 30 billion cubic metres of gas. A memorandum on its joint development was signed by Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan in 2021, but talks stalled over fiscal regime issues.

Turkey’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said in Izmir that TPAO is already involved in Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli and Shah Deniz, joined the Shafag-Asiman project this year, and is eyeing further Caspian prospects including D230 and Dostlug.

Negotiations with SOCAR and Turkmenistan on Dostlug are expected to resume this autumn, according to sources cited by haqqin.az.

Analysts say TPAO is positioning itself in projects once led by BP and Equinor, as Azerbaijan seeks to maintain stable hydrocarbon output.

N.Tebrizli