Oceaneering Secures bp Contract for Riserless Light Well Intervention in Caspian Sea’s ACG Oilfield
Oceaneering International, Inc. a global leader in engineered services and products for the offshore energy sector, has announced that its Offshore Projects Group (OPG) has been awarded a significant contract by bp Exploration (Caspian Sea) Limited. The contract covers the provision of riserless light well intervention (RLWI) services in the Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) oilfield, one of the most important oil-producing assets in the Caspian Sea region.
The newly awarded project represents another strategic milestone for Oceaneering as it continues to expand its footprint in the Caspian Sea and strengthen its long-standing partnership with bp. The contract encompasses a multi-well mechanical wireline intervention campaign, which will be executed using one of Oceaneering’s advanced deepwater RLWI systems integrated onto a customer-provided subsea construction vessel.
A Comprehensive Offshore Campaign
Under the terms of the agreement, Oceaneering’s scope of work includes not only the deployment of its RLWI system but also full project management, engineering, and systems integration services. The company will leverage both its local Azerbaijani workforce and international engineering expertise to ensure seamless project execution.
Preparatory work has already commenced, with engineering and premobilization activities underway. Offshore field operations are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking the start of an extensive intervention campaign aimed at enhancing production efficiency and prolonging the productive life of the wells in the Deepwater Gunashli sector of the ACG field.
By combining advanced subsea technology with its well-established operational processes, Oceaneering aims to help bp optimize field performance, reduce downtime, and improve recovery rates in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.
Strengthening Deepwater Intervention Capabilities
Oceaneering’s RLWI systems are designed to provide flexible, efficient, and safe access to subsea wells without the need for a traditional riser system or a drilling rig. These systems enable a broad range of well intervention operations — from wireline logging and mechanical workovers to plug and abandonment activities — while significantly reducing mobilization time and operating costs compared to conventional methods.
In the case of the ACG project, Oceaneering’s RLWI solution will be used for mechanical wireline interventions to restore and enhance production from existing subsea wells. This approach allows bp to conduct necessary maintenance, diagnostics, and optimization work while minimizing disruption to ongoing production operations.
According to Oceaneering, the deployment of its RLWI technology in the Caspian marks another example of how the company’s integrated solutions are helping operators improve production performance in complex offshore environments.
Executive Insights: Commitment to Safety, Reliability, and Value
Commenting on the award, Chris Dyer, Senior Vice President of Oceaneering’s Offshore Projects Group, highlighted the company’s proven track record and its commitment to delivering safe, efficient, and reliable intervention services in some of the world’s most demanding offshore environments.
“Oceaneering has successfully provided RLWI solutions to help restore and improve production from existing wells in other deepwater regions of the world,” said Dyer. “We appreciate bp’s continued trust in our ability to safely provide reliable and cost-effective deepwater intervention solutions, particularly in support of the critical production in the Deepwater Gunashli area of the ACG field.”
Dyer emphasized that this project underscores the value of long-term collaboration between bp and Oceaneering, particularly in regions where maximizing existing infrastructure and well productivity is vital to maintaining sustainable output.
The Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) Oilfield: A Cornerstone Asset
The ACG oilfield, located approximately 120 kilometers east of Baku, Azerbaijan, is one of the largest and most complex offshore oil developments in the world. Operated by bp on behalf of the Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC), ACG has been the backbone of Azerbaijan’s oil production since the mid-1990s.
The field comprises several large platforms Azeri, Chirag, and Deepwater Gunashli and produces hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil per day. The introduction of new intervention technologies like Oceaneering’s RLWI system is a critical step toward sustaining output levels and enhancing recovery efficiency from mature reservoirs in the field.
Given the technical complexity and environmental sensitivity of operations in the Caspian Sea, bp has continued to partner with trusted technology and service providers to deploy cutting-edge solutions that align with its safety, efficiency, and low-carbon performance objectives.
Oceaneering’s Role in Advancing Subsea Intervention Technology
Over the past decade, Oceaneering has built a strong global reputation for its expertise in subsea robotics, intervention tooling, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and integrated project execution. The company’s RLWI systems are a natural extension of its subsea portfolio, allowing clients to achieve well intervention objectives without the logistical and financial overhead of traditional riser-based approaches.
Oceaneering’s RLWI systems integrate advanced control technologies, subsea power and communication links, and a robust mechanical interface that enables rapid mobilization on a variety of vessels. These systems are modular and adaptable, capable of operating in deepwater environments where access and stability are key challenges.
The company has previously deployed RLWI solutions in multiple offshore basins — including the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and West Africa — helping operators address production challenges while reducing their environmental footprint. With the new bp contract, Oceaneering extends these proven capabilities into the Caspian Sea for the first time at this scale.
Supporting Local Content and Workforce Development
An important component of Oceaneering’s strategy in the Caspian region is its commitment to local content and workforce engagement. The project will be supported by engineering, technical, and logistics teams based both in Azerbaijan and internationally, fostering collaboration and knowledge transfer between global experts and local professionals.
This local participation aligns with the broader objectives of bp and its partners to develop local industry capabilities and build a sustainable ecosystem of technical talent in the region. Oceaneering’s integrated project management model ensures that local suppliers, engineers, and technicians play a key role in the delivery of the RLWI campaign.
A Step Forward in Offshore Energy Efficiency
As offshore oil and gas producers worldwide seek ways to extend the productive life of their assets while reducing emissions and operational costs, technologies like riserless light well intervention have emerged as a transformative solution. RLWI campaigns can achieve significant cost and time savings compared to rig-based interventions, often cutting total well intervention costs by 30–50%.
For bp, this approach not only supports continued output from ACG but also complements the company’s broader strategy of improving efficiency, safety, and environmental performance across its global operations. For Oceaneering, it reinforces its position as a trusted partner in delivering innovative subsea services that meet the evolving needs of modern offshore energy producers.
The collaboration between bp and Oceaneering in the Caspian Sea demonstrates how advanced subsea technology and experienced engineering can come together to address the growing challenges of mature field management. With operations scheduled to begin in late 2025, the project is set to become a key case study in the effective use of RLWI to boost production and extend the lifespan of offshore assets.
As Oceaneering continues to diversify its global operations and expand its service portfolio, the company remains focused on delivering innovative, data-driven, and sustainable solutions that enhance the performance and safety of offshore energy production.
Oceaneering delivers engineered services and products primarily for the offshore energy industry, with a focus on subsea robotics, intervention systems, and integrated project management. The company also provides technology-driven solutions to the defense, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors. With operations in more than 60 locations worldwide, Oceaneering is recognized for its commitment to safety, innovation, and operational excellence.