On 26 September 2026, a consortium comprising TotalEnergies (operator, 35%), Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR (35%) and Abu Dhabi-based XRG (30%) announced the final investment decision (FID) for the Absheron full-field development. The offshore complex sits in the Caspian Sea roughly 100 km southeast of Baku, and holds an estimated 140 billion cubic metres of recoverable natural gas.
From phase one to full-field: scaling up production
The first development phase, inaugurated in 2023, delivered 1.5 billion cubic metres per annum (BCMA) of gas and 12,000 barrels per day of condensate. That initial output already supplies Azerbaijan’s domestic market. The new full-field plan, however, will more than triple gas capacity to 6 BCMA and lift condensate output to 47,000 barrels per day. Commissioning is scheduled for 2029, after which the produced gas will be split between the local grid and export shipments to Turkey via the existing pipeline network that links Azerbaijan to the broader European gas system.
Low-carbon engineering at the heart of the project
Design engineers have emphasized the project’s reduced carbon footprint. Production will rely on four subsea wells channeling raw gas through a dedicated subsea pipeline equipped with advanced automation. Once onshore, the fluid will be treated in a brand-new processing plant that is fully electrified and optimised for minimal energy consumption. As a result, the scope 1 & 2 greenhouse-gas intensity is expected to stay below 4 kg CO₂-equivalent per barrel of oil equivalent (boe), positioning the field among the cleanest offshore gas projects in the region.
Strategic importance for regional energy security
By adding a sizeable, low-emission supply source, the Absheron development strengthens Azerbaijan’s role as a “critical bridge” between Caspian resources and European markets. The dual-targeted delivery—domestic consumption and Turkish export—helps diversify supply routes and bolsters the stability of the Southern Gas Corridor. In a statement, Patrick Pouyanné Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, said: “We are pleased to announce the launch of Absheron Full Field development, a project that unlocks the full production potential of one of the Caspian Sea’s largest gas discoveries.” He added that the venture aligns with TotalEnergies’ strategy of delivering low-cost, low-emission energy for long-term market needs.
Stakeholder background and past milestones
TotalEnergies has been active in Azerbaijan since 1996 and also holds a 1.44 % interest in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline. The Absheron discovery dates back to 2011, with the first phase receiving approval in 2018 and reaching first gas in 2023. XRG, an international investment arm of ADNOC, entered the project in 2023, acquiring its 30 % share and signalling a broader strategy to double its asset base over the next decade. SOCAR, the local partner, contributes equal equity and provides access to existing infrastructure at the Oil Rocks complex.
When operational, the Absheron full-field will inject up to 600 million cubic feet per day (approximately 17 million cubic metres) of gas into the market, alongside the condensate stream. The venture not only expands Azerbaijan’s gas output—currently the world’s 20th-largest reserve holder—but also showcases how offshore development can proceed with a strong climate-focused lens.
