BP, operator of the Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) field, has announced that two giant drilling modules have been safely and efficiently lifted to the required height and placed on top of the ACE topside block, which is currently under construction, using a rail-mounted sliding method, as part of the next phase of ACG development, the Azeri Central East (ACE) project.
The two drilling modules are: a 2,350-tonne, 43m long, 20m wide and 20m high Modular Drilling Support Module (MQDM) and a 2,400-tonne, 32m long, 22m wide and 80m high Drilling Equipment Package (QAD). The two drilling modules were built separately outside the ACE topside block prior to the “lift and slide” operation. The modules were constructed at the Bibiheybat fabrication and erection site.
Neil Phillips, ACE Project Manager, said:
“This was a complex operation that BP has undertaken in the Caspian for the first time and was meticulously planned. The operation process was as follows - first, self-propelled trailers were placed under the modules to transport them to the main lifting point near the deck of the superstructures, and with these trailers the modules were carried near the deck, then additional steel cassettes were placed under the modules and they were raised to the required height of approximately 27 meters. The modules were then slid onto the deck using hydraulic pusher jacks and placed in their permanent positions. We are very proud to have carried out this unique operation safely and ahead of schedule. This allowed us to begin operational testing before the module was integrated."
Kahal Kelly, BP's vice president for projects in the Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey region, as well as Egypt and Oman, said:
"Kahal Kelly, BP's vice president for projects in the Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey region, as well as Russia, Egypt and Oman, said: “The successful lifting and integration of the two drilling rigs onto the ACE topsides is a significant milestone towards the full completion of the ACE project. The successful completion of this operation is the result of nearly four years of engineering, design and manufacturing work carried out in close collaboration with the ACE project contractors, including Azfen, NOV, SOCAR-KBR and Mammoet. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this important achievement."
Bakhtiyar Aslanbeyli, BP Vice President for Communications and External Relations in the Caspian Region, said:
"The commissioning of the next ACG platform, the ACE platform, which will support our efforts to effectively manage production from the ACG field, is progressing according to plan. In 2017, we extended the ACG agreement until mid-century and, as Azerbaijan's long-term energy partner, we remain committed to continuing ACG operations safely, efficiently and reliably.
We have been operating in Azerbaijan for 30 years and will be here for at least the next three decades, working with the government of Azerbaijan, SOCAR and our partners to realise the long-term potential of ACG through new investments, technologies and new joint efforts."
The ACE project is currently 75% complete and at its peak. It employs 5,000 people in Baku, Europe and the UK, the majority of whom are Azerbaijani citizens.
Notes to editors
The ACG holdings are as follows: BP (30.37%), SOCAR (25.0%), MOL (9.57%), INPEKS (9.31%), Equinor (7.27%), ExxonMobil (6.79%), TPAO (5.73%), ITOCU (3.65%), ONGCVidesh (2.31%).
Operations on ACG continued safely and reliably throughout 2022.
First oil A total of approximately 4.1 billion barrels of oil have been produced from ACG since its inception.
Total production from ACG for the first quarter averaged 434,000 barrels per day, or a total of approximately 39 million barrels, or 5 million tons.
During the first quarter, ACG delivered an average of 12 million cubic meters of associated gas per day to the State of Azerbaijan, totaling 1 billion cubic meters. The remaining associated gas produced was re-injected into the reservoir to maintain pressure.
ACG had a total of 137 oil production wells, 37 water injection wells, and 8 gas injection wells in operation at the end of the quarter.
