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Shafag-Asiman set to accelerate evaluation of gas resources

Release date:
3 June 2025

bp, SOCAR and TPAO today signed several agreements enabling TPAO to join the production sharing agreement (PSA) for the Shafag-Asiman offshore block in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea.

 

The deal aims to accelerate further evaluation of the block to help identify the most suitable option to progress the project. 

 

To that end, additional evaluation activities will be carried out, including the drilling of a well into the Lower Surakhany reservoir. To allow for these activities, the exploration period under the PSA will be extended. 

 

The deal is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2025. Once finalized, TPAO will own a total 30% participating interest in the PSA—15% transferred from bp and 15% from SOCAR. Currently, bp and SOCAR each hold a 50% participating interest in the PSA.

 

bp will remain the operator of the PSA during the exploration period. 

 

The official signing of the agreements took place today on the sidelines of Baku Energy Week.

 

“We are pleased to welcome TPAO into the Shafag-Asiman partnership. This strategic collaboration underscores the importance of regional partnerships in advancing the evaluation and potential development of Azerbaijan’s offshore resources. Together with bp and TPAO, we aim to accelerate the appraisal process, ultimately enhancing energy security and bringing added value to all stakeholders involved.”

 

Rovshan Najaf, president of SOCAR

 

As operator, we welcome this opportunity to cooperate with TPAO to progress the Shafag-Asiman project.  This collaboration will bring additional technical and financial capabilities that will help us accelerate exploration and appraisal activities on this promising structure. This again highlights the commitment of all parties to unlocking the full potential of Azerbaijan’s oil and gas resources in the Caspian through enhanced collaboration and investment.”

 

Gary Jones, bp’s regional president for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye

 

“Today marks an important step in our regional energy cooperation. By joining the Shafag-Asiman partnership alongside SOCAR and bp, Türkiye Petrolleri reaffirms its commitment to building a secure, diversified and sustainable energy future for our nations and beyond.“

This collaboration brings together SOCAR’s deep local expertise, bp’s advanced technology, and TPAO’s offshore experience. Together, we aim to unlock the full potential of this promising structure in the Caspian Sea.

“Beyond exploration, this partnership will create high-value employment and reinforce the Southern Gas Corridor—contributing to regional stability, energy security, and long-term economic growth.“

As Türkiye Petrolleri, we are proud to stand alongside Socar and bp in realizing a shared vision of progress and resilience across the region.”

 

Ahmet Türkoğlu, chairman and CEO of TPAO

 

Exploration activities in the block carried out to date include the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of a 3D seismic survey and the drilling of one exploration well (SAX01), completed in 2021. The SAX01 well was drilled to the base of the Fasila reservoir, reaching a depth of 7,189 metres, and confirmed the presence of gas condensate resources in the penetrated reservoirs. The well was then suspended to allow for further evaluation and planning of subsequent activities.

 

Notes to editors

  • The PSA between bp and SOCAR for joint exploration and development of the Shafag-Asiman offshore block in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea was signed in Baku in October 2010.
  • The block lies some 125 kilometres to the south-east of Baku and is located in water depths of 650-800 metres.
  • The block is 60km from Shah Deniz and 145km from the Sangachal terminal.
  • A 3D seismic acquisition programme was conducted on the contract area in 2012.
  • Interpretation of the seismic dataset was completed in 2015, followed by the selection of the exploration well location and planning of drilling activities.
  • Drilling of SAX01 exploration well commenced in January 2020 and was completed in March 2021.

 

Further information:

 

bp press office, Baku + 994 12 525 58 95, bayatltf@bp.com

bp press office, London +44 7831 095541, bppress@bp.com

SOCAR, +994 12 5210284, +994 12 5210369, press@socar.az