Caspian Energy: Mr. Shirali, high indicators were fixed in the work of drill men last year. Do you believe it will be possible to maintain these rates in 2013 as well? 

Iskander Shirali, Manager, SOCAR Complex Drilling Works Trust: First of all I would like to note that the oil strategy set by Nationwide Leader Heydar Aliyev lies at the root of all successes and achievements of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), especially drill men. Today, Azerbaijan, created by Nationwide Leader, is experiencing grandiose political and social-economic development under the guidance of President Ilham Aliyev. For many years our country has held one of the first positions in the world on indicators of political and social-economic development. I assume it will not be wrong to say that growth of the defensive potential of the republic, strengthening of positions in the international arena, opening of new production institutions, usage of new information-communication technologies both in science and education are only a small part of success gained under presidency of Ilham Aliyev. As the head of Azerbaijani state has repeatedly emphasized, Azerbaijani oilmen and drill men play a special role among those achievements. The hard-working staff of SOCAR Complex Drilling Works Trust, which drilled and commissioned hundreds of onshore and offshore wells in the Azeri sector of the Caspian Sea, continues successful exploration and production drilling. 50,977m were drilled both at onshore and offshore areas of the republic during January-April. It is 2304m (104.7%) above the plan. 17 wells were handed over to clients over the mentioned period. 

We also work on the basis of the program aiming at improvement of gas supply of the republic and growth of gas production. Besides, there are plans on construction of new platforms and performance of drilling at Neft Dashlari and Banka Darvina fields. In addition, we plan to build three more platforms at West Absheron field. 

One of the facts pleasing us is that the drill men began 2013 with submission of wells with high production potential, just like they managed to do in previous years. Thus, drill men submitted (January 14) to oilmen a new well # 42 drilled from fixed platform on Gunashli field that bears big strategic importance. Daily oil and gas production on the well #42 totals 15 tons and 160,000 cubic meters respectively. 

The drill men also began drilling of three wells on strategically important field during January-April. Those are the wells # 340, 41, 45 drilled from fixed platforms # 10, 14, 6. 

CE: It has been announced  that drill men gained big success on Umid field. Could you please tell more about it? 

Iskander Shirali: The latest and most advanced technical facilities and technologies applied worldwide were used on platform #1 (Umid field) while drilling of the exploration well #10. The drilling of the well had been completed 4 months ahead the schedule. Among those technologies noteworthy are different types of oil-based mud, deep-well engines, modern hydro reamer and bicentric drill bits. 

The drilled well uncovered the 7th horizon of the productive stratum (targeted horizon) and thereby was able to fulfill all geological tasks. 

Daily production on the second well #10 completed on June 8 totaled 1 mln 200 thousand cubic meters of gas and 150 tons of condensate. 

Analysis of data obtained from Umid proves presence of high amount of hydrocarbon reserves on this field. It also means discovery of big gas reserves after Shah Deniz. 

Drilling of the production well #12 launched on November 6 of the past year is ongoing successfully. The target depth of the well, that is being drilled from platform #1 (Umid field) toward the 7th horizon of the productive stratum, totals 6550m. 

In addition, I would like to note that on the same day the Trust began drilling on well #90 drilled from the deep water platform #29 placed on Bulla-deniz field. The target depth of the well makes 5800m. Considering the volume of its resources, it is also worth mentioning that Bulla-deniz field occupies an important place among fields explored in the area of the Baku archipelago. Drilling work on exploration well holed from the deepwater platform #23 located on Alyat-deniz field has been completed successfully. The development work is currently underway on the well. 

Besides, drilling work was commenced on the well #732 holed from the deepwater offshore platform #730 located at March 8th field. The target depth of the well is 5750m. Chinese drilling machine ZJ 50 DBM was placed on the platform #2585 (Neft Dashlari field) where drilling work is continued successfully. 

CE: Broad-scale work is being carried out for providing gas supply to the population in accordance with the order of Head of State. What is the contribution made in this important work by drill men? 

Iskander Shirali: As is known, SOCAR adopted a special development program in this direction. One of the important tasks (expansion of gas storages Galmaz and Garadagh) assigned to the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan is planned to be fulfilled within the framework of this program in order to improve gas supply to the population. Therefore, commenced was the drilling of wells #476/479 and wells #629/599 on Garadagh and Galmaz fields respectively. The drilling work on these wells is ongoing successfully. Besides, we carry out necessary operations as we plan to commence drilling work on the well #627 in near future. These wells are drilled for increasing the volume of active gas. 

It is noteworthy that the Chinese drilling unit (ZJ 50 DBM) equipped with RPDE system and meeting modern standards is used on the production-injection well #477. TDS-11SA top driver has been installed on the unit. ZJ 50 DBM unit enables to perform drilling operations to the depth of 5000m. 

Installed on the well were 3NB-1600 Tripleks pumps with the service pressure of 350 atmosphere units, SCR main diesel generators CAT-3512 1200 kW, auxiliary diesel generators CAT-3406 365kW as well as drilling mud cleaning systems, meeting modern standards, from DERRICK company.  The capacity of the drilling mud cleaning systems comprises 350 cubic meters. The cab of the drill man has been equipped with control-measuring devices and surveillance cameras. 

5 wells (#633, 634, 637, 635, 639 and 638) were drilled and commissioned on the Galmaz section belonging to the department for operation of gas storages and 3 wells (#473, 474 and 477) were drilled on Garadagh section. 

Social and living conditions of employees working on the well were also solved on a high level. Thus, 10 cabins (including three cabins for managers) with all conveniences were installed at the area around the well. Canteens designed for provision of hot meals to workers were commissioned. A restroom was also arranged on the area of the well. Improvement work was carried out in the area around the well: trees were planted along with the laying of gravel asphalt. 

As you may know, SOCAR is also performing broad-scale construction-assembling operations within the framework of social-economic development of regions. The issue concerning provision of regular gas supply to the population and industrial facilities in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a component part of this program. Construction of the underground gas storage in Nakhchivan will not only improve gas supply stability but also will positively affect the solution of other important social problems. In this regard, we have assigned a task to build underground gas storage in the salt layers of the ground. Therefore, the drilling of exploration well #1 was commenced at Tumbul section on January 11, 2013. If the results of exploration turn out positive, an underground gas storage is planned to be built here. For this purpose we plan to drill new wells. 

CE: How would you resume the activity of the Complex Drilling Works Trust in general? 

Iskander Shirali: In conclusion, I would like to emphasize once again that the drill men keep contributing to the fulfillment of tasks assigned to country’s oilmen by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. At present the Complex Drilling Works Trust is carrying out high-quality drilling, exploration and operational work by using new techniques and technologies without damaging the environment. Operations are performed in safe labor conditions without any financial irregularities. 

Meanwhile, material-technical needs of the trust are under permanent supervision of the management of SOCAR. All necessary conditions are created for stage by stage acceptance of the orders placed. Several complex technologies designed for production have already been acquired. Negotiations are held for purchase of the rest part of equipment.  We may proudly say that our Trust managed to turn into an organization capable to conduct drilling operations at onshore and offshore wells with the depth of 1000-7000m by using the most modern equipment, advanced techniques and technologies as well as to compete with foreign companies in many spheres.