BP to conduct seismic survey at ADUA block offshore Azerbaijan in H1 2026

BAKU. Dec 29 (Interfax) - BP Plc plans to launch a seismic survey program at the Ashrafi-Dan Ulduzu-Aypara (ADUA) hydrocarbon block in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea in the first half of 2026, BP in Azerbaijan, the project's operating company said in information.

"The draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) document for the ADUA seismic survey program has been produced and published. The program includes a 2D High-Resolution (HR) seismic survey. The survey is scheduled to take place between February and April 2026 in water depths ranging from 20 to 40 meters," the company said.

The survey is expected to last a maximum of 20 days if carrying out 12-hour operations, and just 10 days if carrying out 24-hour operations and will cover a small area located in the north-western part of the ADUA block.

"The primary objective of the 2D HR seismic survey is to acquire detailed subsurface data to a depth of approximately 1,500 meters to support the planning of future exploration wells. The survey will help identify shallow geological hazards, including faults, shallow gas accumulations, and other subsurface features that could pose risks to drilling operations and well integrity," BP said.

The EIA disclosure period ends on January 26.

BP signed an agreement with State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic (SOCAR) to complete the acquisition of a 35% participating interest in ADUA on the sidelines of Baku Energy Week on June 3, 2025. SOCAR retained a 65% stake.

The ADUA block is 90-110 km northeast of Baku, at depths of 80-180 meters.

SOCAR signed a contract for the development of ADUA block back in 1997, when Ashrafi did not yet have the status of a field, with BP (30%), Unocal (25.5%), Itochu (20%) and Delta HESS (4.5%). SOCAR's share in this project was 20%. Modest hydrocarbon reserves of about 20-40 million tonnes were discovered during exploration at Ashrafi. The contract became null and void on March 7, 2000.