BP Azerbaijan, which is the operator of the Shallow Water Absheron Peninsula (SWAP) Contract Area, has published the report on the Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the 3D seismic survey within the contract area.
The 3D seismic survey in the contract area will start on March 1st 2016, BP Azerbaijan public relations manager Tamam Bayatli said.
"It will be carried out in an area of 1520 sq km, where the sea depth reaches 10 m. The work will also cover an onshore area plot of 90 sq km," abc.az cited Bayatli as saying.
The timing of the works will depend on weather conditions. Specialized equipment and vessels will be delivered from the US and Malaysia. Azerbaijani vessels, equipment and personnel will also be mobilized in the project.
The total contract area is 1900 sq km. The sea depth in this area is up to 40 m. The project, in addition to BP (50%), involves the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR).
The SWAP contract includes primary exploration (30 months for 3D, 2D and EIA), basic exploration (2-3 years) and field development. In case of discovery of commercial hydrocarbon reserves during exploration, a program of field development will be prepared.
