BP announces work done to obtain first production from ACE in 2023

At the end of the second quarter of 2022, the Azeri Central East (ACE) project reached the 75% progress milestone, Report informs, citing BP-Azerbaijan's business update on the results of the first half of 2022.

"The ACE topsides and drilling facilities fabrication activities continued at the fabrication yard in Bibi-Heybat. The drilling facilities lifting onto the topsides unit were safely and efficiently completed. The 2,350 tonnes modular drilling support module (MDSM) and 2,400 tonnes drilling equipment set (DES) were first transported by self-propelled modular trailers to the jacking position, then were jacked up by incrementally installing steel cassettes to reach the final height of around 27 meters and then they were skidded onto the topsides deck. This was a carefully planned complex "Jack and Skid" operation and a first for bp in the Caspian. Integration of the drilling facilities on the topsides deck is currently ongoing," reads the business update.

"Another completed ACE activity is the topsides north and south cranes, which were safely installed along with the gas injection compressor exhaust.

"The topsides pipe erection and hydro testing progressed as planned. The topsides and drilling mechanical completion handovers continued, and commissioning works on the main power generation, chemical injection, and sewage treatment packages commenced. The living quarters' mechanical completion and handover progressed.

"At the Heydar Aliyev Baku Deepwater Jackets factory (BDJF), the jacket fabrication is completed, with preparation activities for load-out still ongoing.

"The ACE subsea diving campaign continued with the support of the subsea construction vessel Khankendi. ACE gas subsea pipeline tie-ins to the existing infield pipeline were completed during the June East Azeri turnaround (TAR) program.

"All ACE-related works on the Central Azeri and East Azeri platforms to support the gas pipeline tie-ins were also completed, with all ACE scope successfully executed during the East Azeri TAR.

"The modification construction works for the ACE operations control from the shore are in progress at the Sangachal terminal.

"At the end of the second quarter of 2022, the ACE project reached the 75% progress milestone. The project construction activities continue at their peak and involve about 5,000 people across Baku, Europe, and the UK, most of whom are Azerbaijani nationals.

"All engineering, procurement, and fabrication works remain on track to support the first production from the ACE project in 2023," BP-Azerbaijan says.