BP has successfully applied multi-lateral well (MLT) technology for the first time at the Azeri‑Chirag‑Gunashli (ACG) field, Report informs, citing the field’s operating company BP‑Azerbaijan.
This is an important step towards maximising the recovery factor and ensuring long‑term production sustainability from one of the longest‑producing fields in the Caspian Sea.
The application of MLT technology not only overcomes the technical challenges of drilling in ACG’s complex geological structures but also helps address the problem of limited well slots on existing platforms. By allowing access to the reservoir from several points through a single wellbore, the technology expands reservoir contact, improves drainage efficiency, and maximises the use of existing infrastructure.
BP’s Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye, Geo Cristofoli, stated that the new technological approach is central to BP’s broader strategy to manage the decline rate at ACG. “This approach helps both optimise capital efficiency and ensure long‑term production sustainability. As ACG moves into a more complex and mature phase of development, MLT technology will play a key role in unlocking additional reserves and extending the field’s economic life. This is the first time we have applied such a well design at ACG, demonstrating our commitment to using the most suitable technological solutions to maximise recovery from existing fields.”
He noted that such innovative solutions will be crucial for ensuring long‑term production sustainability and creating additional value. “MLT technology increases reservoir contact, improves rig productivity and operational efficiency, and ensures optimal use of well slots by making the most effective use of existing infrastructure. In this regard, the introduction of this technology marks a qualitatively new stage in well drilling and completion at ACG. We believe that this technology will not only extend the life of this world‑class field but also be one of the most effective ways to continue safe, efficient, and responsible energy production.”
The first MLT well, C44, was drilled from the West Azeri platform and has already been successfully handed over. This is the first multi‑lateral well ever drilled in the Caspian Sea and represents a notable achievement for the ACG project. This success clearly demonstrates both the technical feasibility and high economic efficiency of applying MLT technology in the complex reservoir conditions of ACG.
BP’s Vice‑President for Wells, Russell Morris, said that the drilling and completion of the first MLT well were carried out with excellent performance in terms of both time and occupational safety. “The well was delivered safely and significantly ahead of schedule, one month earlier than planned. This achievement reflects meticulous planning, high‑quality execution, and proper management of subsurface uncertainties.”
According to him, the well is also the result of successful integration of geology, drilling, and completions, showing how coordinated activity can yield great technical and commercial efficiency. “The first MLT well, with its outstanding performance, provides a strong business‑justified foundation for wider application of multi‑lateral well technology across the entire field.”
As part of the strategic deployment of technologies at ACG, BP plans to carry out an extensive campaign of drilling multi‑lateral wells across the field. The campaign will start with three MLT wells during 2026, including wells C44 and D41 scheduled to be commissioned in the first half of this year. In the longer term, more multi‑lateral wells are planned for 2027‑2028, further underlining the technology’s important role in the field’s future production.
Since the various challenges characterising ACG’s complex reservoir cannot be solved by MLT technology alone, the field’s development strategy is based on applying the optimal technological configuration for each specific reservoir target, thereby ensuring high execution efficiency across different geological environments. This includes combining MLT technology with horizontal drilling, advanced geo‑navigation, smart completion systems for sand control and flow regulation, and other techniques. This creates extensive opportunities to further increase the recovery factor across the entire field.
https://report.az/en/energy/bp-introduces-technology-to-lead-acg-s-journey-to-maximizing-recovery