SOCAR changing drilling technology at two fields

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) plans to begin drilling on tubing at Neft Dashlari (Oil Rocks) and Gunashli fields in the coming months, Drilling Manager for the Upstream Operations Department of SOCAR Farid Umudlu said at the IADC (International Association of Drilling Contractors) Drilling Caspian 2026 conference and exhibition in Baku.

"Transformations alone aren't enough to solve existing problems, and so we also need to invest in technology. Our reservoirs are becoming increasingly complex, and oil production requires ever greater effort each year. This is a national challenge facing all operators in Azerbaijan," Umudlu said.

He pointed out that a comparable scenario is evident in other nations within the Caspian area, such as Turkmenistan.

According to him, they have begun actively implementing new technological solutions. In the coming months, they plan to begin drilling using tubing at the Neft Dashlari and Gunashli fields. They are conducting detailed analysis and implementing geosteering technologies in the reservoirs, Trend reported.

"We are also drilling horizontal wells with inclinations of up to 90 degrees. Currently, approximately 15-20 such wells have been drilled," Umudlu said.