UK supermajor BP has taken a major step forward in its plans to secure additional oil and gas production at the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) deep-water offshore development in Azerbaijan's Caspian Sea waters before the end of 2023. The increase in ACG oil and gas production - on schedule despite earlier Covid-related challenges - is expected to help ease Europe's energy supply crisis, as European Union member nations strive to seek alternative hydrocarbon supplies to replace Russian oil and gas imports. BP said a central jacket for the planned Azeri Central East drilling and production platform is now ready for load-out to sail away to its permanent location in the ACG contract area. The 153-metre high structure was assembled at the Heydar Aliyev Deepwater Jackets Factory near the Azerbaijan capital Baku and is set to be installed in water depths of about 137 metres. The transportation, launch, positioning and pile installation activities of the jacket are planned to take around 40 days to complete, BP said. Following the installation of the jacket, the topsides currently under construction at another Azeri-run fabrication yard in Bibi-Heybat will be transported for placing on the jacket, with the operation expected to take place in the second quarter of next year. Drilling of the first well is planned to start immediately after that, BP said.
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