Umid | |
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Country | Azerbaijan |
Location/block(s) | Umid-Babek |
Offshore/onshore | Offshore |
Operator(s) | SOCAR |
Field history | |
Discovery | November 24, 2010 |
Start of production | NA |
Abandonment | NA |
Production | |
Estimated gas in place (billion cubic meters) | 200 |
Umid gas field (Azerbaijani: Ümid qaz yatağı) is the second largest natural gas field in Azerbaijan. It is situated in the South Caspian Sea, off the coast of Azerbaijan, approximately 75 kilometres (47 mi) southeast of Baku, at a depth of 170 metres (560 ft).[1][2] In translation from Azerbaijani, Umid means Hope.[3]
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Umid field is a part of a block previously consisting of Umid and Babek fields.[4] The geophysical works at Umid started in 1953 which were repeated in 1972. A total of 9 wells were drilled in the area from 1977 to 1992, however no commercially viable fields were discovered at the time.[1][5] In 2009, SOCAR financed the exploration works at Umid itself.[6] This is the first time since the Contract of the Century that Azerbaijan conducted exploration works entirely on its own.[7] The discovery of 200 bcm and 30-40 million tons of condensate (around 270-360mn bbl) initially forecasted by Khoshbakht Yusifzadeh was announced by SOCAR on November 24, 2010 after successful drilling at 6,500 metres (21,300 ft) on exploration platform Umid-1.[8][9]
According to experts, production at Umid field will most likely start in 3-4 years.[10]
The gas field currently belongs to SOCAR. The company invested approximately $5 billion in development works at Umid and is likely to earn nearly $45-50 billion.[8][11]
SOCAR leadership estimates that with further drilling, the overall reserves at Umid are likely to reach 300 bcm while those of Babek field lying under Umid will reach 600 bcm. Drilling at Babek will also be done by SOCAR.[1] The Azerbaijan's total gas reserves are estimated at 3 to 5 trillion cubic meters (tcm).[6] The discovery will boost Azerbaijan's potential as gas exporter to Western countries through Nabucco pipeline.[12]
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