BP Sails Second Jacket to SD 2 Caspian Field

The BP-led consortium developing the Shah Deniz (SD) gas and condensate field in the Caspian towed the second jacket for the second phase of the development March 15.

This is ahead of schedule, the UK major said, adding that it would take about 75 days to tow it to its final location and secure it to the seabed. Water depth is 95 metres.

The construction of the jacket was completed ahead of schedule February 20 by the BOS Shelf, Star Gulf and Saipem consortium in Baku deep-water jacket yard.

“The second jacket sail away is the first major milestone planned for this year and we are pleased to have achieved it ahead of schedule. 2017 is an important year for BP and for the Shah Deniz 2 project, which is already around 90% complete. We have planned a series of key completion milestones for this year and are committed to achieving all of these milestones on schedule to make BP’s 25th anniversary celebrations in Azerbaijan a big success," said Ewan Drummond, BP’s SD 2 vice-president.

Two platforms, connected by a bridge, will be installed for SD 2 that will receive and process gas and condensate from 26 subsea wells. The first jacket sailed off in September  at a ceremony attended by the president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev; and installation was completed in November 2016.  

Construction of both SD 2 platform topsides is nearly complete and commissioning is underway. The plan is to sail away these decks for offshore installation in the second and third quarters of 2017.

Drummond (left) and Aliev, last September

(Credit: BP)

SD 2 remains on target for first gas in 2018, BP said. The project will allow producing 16bn m³ of gas that will be exported to Turkey and Europe. The Shah Deniz partners are Socar, Malaysia’s Petronas, Russia’s Lukoil, Iran’s Nico and Turkish TPAO.

Azerbaijan desk