SOCAR to become contractor for BP projects in Azerbaijan

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) will become a contractor for projects implemented under BP operatorship in Azerbaijan, SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev told journalists on Monday.

"The Bos Shelf Company, which is wholly owned by SOCAR, will act as a contractor," Abdullayev said.

Earlier SOCAR and the Star Gulf FZJO Company had equal shares in Bos Shelf.

As SOCAR President said, major companies such as McDermott, Saipem and other companies which previously acted as contract companies will act as subcontractors of Bos Shelf thereafter.

"Bos Shelf will use the services and assets of the Heydar Aliyev Baku Deep Water Jacket Plant," Abdullayev said.

With regard to a possible merger of the Bos Shelf Company and Heydar Aliyev Baku Deep Water Jacket Plant resulting in the laying off of the plant's employees, Abdullayev said that this issue cannot be on the agenda. This plant will serve as the owner of assets in the future and Bos Shelf will use these and services provided by the plant. He said the laying off of the plant's employees is out of the question and highly qualified personnel will continue to work and undertake the necessary training to further enhance their skills.

Bos Shelf, which will act as a contractor of BP projects in Azerbaijan, will have to bring the structure into compliance with BP's requirements.

"If earlier foreign companies acted as contractors, now a local company will act as contractor," Abdullayev said.