Luxembourg-based Subsea 7 has announced the successful completion of its project involving the sailaway, transportation, and offshore installation of a topsides unit for a BP-operated platform situated in the Caspian Sea's Azerbaijani sector. This achievement follows BP's recent update regarding its progress towards first oil from the Azeri Central East (ACE) project, which involves the sailaway and installation of the ACE platform's topsides unit. The platform is now prepared for offshore hook-up and commissioning activities in the Caspian Sea.

Subsea 7 highlights that its four-day project encompassed the sailaway, transportation, and float-over activities. The ACE topsides platform, weighing approximately 20,000 tonnes, is not only the largest installation ever in the Caspian Sea but also marks Subsea 7's largest float-over operation to date.

BP's $6 billion ACE project represents the next phase of the Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) field development in the Caspian Sea, off Azerbaijan. Approved in April 2019, construction commenced the same year, with first production anticipated in 2023.

The ACE project features gas, oil, and water injection pipelines, all successfully installed on the seabed. These pipelines, ranging from 6 to 12 kilometers, connect to the existing ACG pipelines. Additionally, subsea oil pipeline isolation tools were launched, and topsides pipeline isolation work was finalized in the first half of 2023.

Located between the Central Azeri and East Azeri platforms at a water depth of around 140 meters, the ACE project centers around a new 48-slot production, drilling, and quarters platform. It involves new infield pipelines to transfer oil and gas from the ACE platform to the existing ACG Phase 2 oil and gas export pipelines, leading to the onshore Sangachal terminal.

Furthermore, the project includes a water injection pipeline connecting the East Azeri and ACE platforms, providing injection water from the Central Azeri compression and water injection platform to ACE facilities. The ACE platform and facilities are designed to process up to 100,000 barrels of oil per day, with the project's total production expected to reach up to 300 million barrels over its operational lifetime.