bp, together with its partners, has entered into a series of agreements that will build and expand on its major oil and gas interests in Azerbaijan, paving the way for growth and additional production while deepening its partnership with the country and state oil company, SOCAR.
bp-operated Central Azeri platform in the Caspian Sea
The agreements, signed during Baku Energy Week, include the final investment decisions for the next major phase of development of the giant Shah Deniz gas field – the $2.9 billion Shah Deniz Compression project. They also include agreements for bp to access to two new exploration and development licenses and introduce a new partner to accelerate exploration on a third.
These agreements represent progress against bp’s strategy to grow long-term shareholder value, contributing to its goal of growing its upstream business, as well as underlining bp’s continuing commitment to Azerbaijan.
bp has been active in Azerbaijan for 33 years. It led the development of the Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) oil field, the Shah Deniz gas field, and the major Sangachal processing and export terminal, all three of which it also operates. bp was also a lead in the development of the associated export pipelines, the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) gas pipeline network.
“We are deeply proud of the long and successful partnership that bp has built with Azerbaijan over more than 30 years,” said Gordon Birrell, EVP production & operations. “As can be seen by the agreements we signed this week, we continue to see many opportunities for further development and growth. As we deliver our strategy of growing our upstream, we will build on our strong positions in regions like Azerbaijan, and on the deep relationships we have with the government and our partners.
“The next phase of development for Shah Deniz – a truly world-class gas field – will access additional resources, extend production and support continued delivery of important gas supplies to European customers. Innovative linked electrification and solar projects will support lower operational emissions in Azerbaijan while freeing up fuel gas for export. And we look forward to working with SOCAR and TPAO to progress exploration for further opportunities.”
These projects are fully accommodated within bp’s financial frame. Shah Deniz Compression is one of the 8-10 major projects expected to start up between 2028 and 2030, as disclosed at bp’s 2025 capital markets update. It is expected to contribute to growing bp’s global upstream production to 2.3-2.5 MMboed by 2030, with capacity to increase further to 2035.
Shah Deniz Compression project
bp and partners have approved the next phase of development of the Shah Deniz gas field, which is operated by bp with a 29.999% participating interest.
The $2.9 billion Shah Deniz Compression project – the field’s third phase of development – is designed to access and produce low pressure gas resources from the giant gas field, increasing resource recovery and extending production life.
The project, which will include installation of a new unmanned compression platform, is expected to allow production of an additional gross 50 billion cubic meters of gas and 25 million barrels of condensate. The project is expected to receive first gas in 2029.
Exploration access and progress
In addition to the project approvals, bp today completed an agreement with SOCAR to access two blocks in the Caspian Sea for exploration and development, for the discovered Karabagh oil field and the Ashrafi-Dan Ulduzu-Aypara (ADUA) area. bp will have 35% working interest and become operator of each block, with SOCAR retaining 65%.
Separately, bp and SOCAR also reached agreement for Türkiye’s TPAO to take a 30% interest in the production sharing agreement for the Shafag-Asiman block in the Caspian Sea. This is expected to accelerate evaluation of development opportunities for the block, on which a first well drilled in 2021 encountered gas condensate resources.
These agreements are part of bp’s strategy of accessing discovered resources and reloading its exploration hopper in support of its aim to increase its reserves replacement ratio to around 100% by end 2027.
