On June 6, Gary Jones, BP’s Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye, announced that BP plans to commission a second production well for deep-gas extraction at the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block in May 2026.

Jones stated that the first gas from deep layers beyond the primary ACG oil reservoir is expected by the end of 2025. He explained that recent discoveries of non-associated gas, located both above and below the ACG oil reservoir, will supplement volumes from the Shah Deniz field following the 2024 amendment to the ACG production-sharing agreement. “The first non-associated gas from ACG will come on stream by the end of 2025, with a second reservoir likely on stream in May 2026,” Jones confirmed, noting that the development target is 4 trillion cubic feet of non-associated gas.

Jones emphasized the importance of expanding BP’s gas portfolio in Azerbaijan’s Caspian Sea sector, stating, “If you consider Shafag-Asiman and the non-associated gas, these represent two new areas of potential gas developments in the Azerbaijan Caspian for us.” He underscored BP’s broader strategy to grow its resource base and production volumes at existing sites while fostering new regional energy partnerships. “Looking at the Caspian as a whole, there is absolutely real potential for expansion,” he said.

Highlighting the Azerbaijani government’s efforts, Jones noted measures to improve the investment environment, reduce costs, and eliminate business obstacles. Combined with existing infrastructure, these create tangible opportunities for expanding gas exports from the Eastern Caspian through Azerbaijan. He also mentioned several visits to Turkmenistan to explore prospective projects, remarking, “There are huge opportunities in Turkmenistan, and we would love to get involved, but that is primarily a matter for state-level discussions.”

Additionally, Jones revealed that BP had signed a memorandum of understanding with SOCAR for cooperation in Uzbekistan, noting that both companies are “actively exploring opportunities” in the country.