Equinor postpones drilling on Aypara prospect in Azerbaijan

Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor has decided to postpone the drilling of the Aypara prospect in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea due to challenges in operating during the current COVID and overall industry context, Report informs, referring to the Azerbaijani office of Equinor.

Drilling at the Aypara prospect was to be carried out last year.

"It is too early to indicate when the well will be spudded," the company said.

On May 30, 2018, Equinor and SOCAR signed a Risk Service Agreement related to the appraisal and development of the Karabagh oilfield and a Production Sharing Agreement for the Ashrafi-Dan-Ulduzu-Aypara (ADUA) area in the Caspian Sea. Equinor and SOCAR hold equal shares in both projects.

The ADUA exploration area is located around 100-110 kilometers north-east of Baku. In 2019, Equinor conducted a 2D-3D seismic study in the prospect area.