bp launches first multilateral well technology in Caspian ACG field

bp, as operator of the Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) oilfield in the Caspian Sea, has successfully implemented multilateral well technology (MLT) for the first time in the development, marking a significant technological milestone aimed at improving recovery rates and extending the asset’s production life.

The introduction of MLT is designed to address growing technical challenges in the mature ACG field, including complex reservoir structures and limited availability of new drilling slots on existing platforms. The technology enables multiple reservoir penetrations from a single wellbore, improving reservoir contact, enhancing drainage efficiency and increasing the productivity of existing infrastructure, Caliber.Az reports, citing the company.

According to bp, the new approach forms a key element of its broader decline management strategy for ACG, as the company seeks to sustain long-term output while improving capital efficiency in a maturing asset.

“The new technological approach is a cornerstone of bp’s broader decline management strategy for ACG, supporting long-term production sustainability while optimising capital efficiency,” said Gio Cristofoli, bp regional president for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye. He added that multilateral technology will play an increasingly important role in unlocking additional reserves and extending the economic life of the field.

The first multilateral well, designated C44, has been successfully drilled from the West Azeri platform, becoming the first such well ever completed in the Caspian Sea. bp said the well was delivered 30 days ahead of schedule and achieved strong safety performance, with no incidents reported during drilling and completion operations.

Russell Morrice, bp’s vice president for wells, said the project demonstrated the value of integrated execution across subsurface, drilling and completion teams, and provided a strong business case for wider application of the technology.

As part of its development strategy, bp plans to expand the use of multilateral wells across ACG, with three such wells scheduled for 2026, including C44 and D41, both expected to come online in the first half of the year. Further deployments are planned between 2027 and 2028 as part of a broader field optimisation programme.

The company also noted that multilateral technology will be combined with other advanced drilling and completion techniques, including horizontal drilling, geo-steering and smart completion systems, to optimise performance across the field’s diverse geological conditions.

By Vugar Khalilov