BP announced on Friday that it had temporarily halted operations at its Shah Deniz Alfa (SDA) platform after identifying a technical issue in the subsea gas condensate export pipeline connecting the platform to the Sangachal terminal. In a statement, the company emphasized that the situation was under control, assuring that all personnel on the platform were safe and there was no environmental impact from the incident. BP further confirmed the safety of all offshore facilities, including the SDA platform and the pipeline.

“We are actively working to address the issue and aim to restore normal operations as quickly as possible,” BP stated, underscoring their commitment to minimizing disruption and ensuring a swift resolution.

The Shah Deniz Alfa platform is part of the larger Shah Deniz field, one of the world’s largest natural gas condensate fields located in the Caspian Sea. It plays a crucial role in the region’s energy exports, with its subsea pipeline serving as a key link in transporting gas condensate to the Sangachal terminal for further distribution.

BP’s assurance of safety and environmental responsibility aligns with the company’s broader operational standards and commitment to managing risks in offshore energy production. Although the specific technical issue has not been disclosed, such incidents highlight the challenges of maintaining complex subsea infrastructure in offshore environments.

This temporary suspension has drawn attention to the importance of robust monitoring and swift response mechanisms in the oil and gas sector to mitigate operational disruptions and prevent environmental harm. As BP works to resolve the problem, stakeholders will be watching closely for updates on the restoration of the platform’s activities.

With the global demand for natural gas remaining strong, the resumption of operations at the Shah Deniz Alfa platform will be critical for maintaining supply chains and supporting energy security in the region. BP’s prompt action and transparent communication reflect its dedication to safety and operational integrity in managing the challenges of large-scale energy projects.

The Shah Deniz (SD) field, discovered in 1999, is among the world’s largest gas-condensate fields and BP’s biggest gas discovery. Situated on the deep-water shelf of the Caspian Sea, 70 km southeast of Baku, it lies at depths ranging from 50 to 500 meters. BP operates the field on behalf of its partners under the Shah Deniz Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). The Shah Deniz project operates as an unincorporated Joint Venture (JV), with BP serving as the operator. Shah Deniz Stage 1 commenced operations in 2006, with a production capacity of approximately 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year (bcma) and around 50,000 barrels of condensate daily.