MOL and partners achieved first commercial gas production at Azerbaijan’s ACG field, unlocking significant reserves and strengthening regional energy security.
MOL Group and its joint venture partners have successfully commenced gas production from the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field in Azerbaijan, marking a significant milestone in the development of one of the world’s most prolific hydrocarbon assets. The achievement represents the first commercial extraction of natural gas from the giant offshore field, which has historically been known for its substantial oil production. The development follows years of geological studies that identified extensive non-associated gas (NAG) reservoirs located both above and below the field’s producing oil-bearing formations.
The project reached a crucial stage after the completion of the first production well, drilled from the existing West Chirag platform. Following drilling operations, the partners initiated testing activities and successfully achieved first gas production. This initial well serves as an important foundation for unlocking the vast gas potential of the ACG field and gathering critical information that will guide future development plans.
Beyond generating early gas output, the well is expected to provide valuable reservoir performance and flow-rate data. These insights will assist in assessing the scale and quality of the gas resources and help determine the most effective strategy for a broader field-wide gas development program. Industry estimates suggest that the non-associated gas resources within the ACG field are substantial, with approximately 4 trillion cubic feet (around 112 billion cubic meters) of gas in place. Further exploration and appraisal could potentially increase this estimate to as much as 6 trillion cubic feet, highlighting the field’s considerable long-term value.
The gas and condensate produced from the well will be transported through the existing ACG infrastructure network to the Sangachal Terminal, Azerbaijan’s primary oil and gas processing hub. Utilizing established infrastructure significantly reduces development costs and accelerates the commercialization process. Within the ACG consortium, MOL is the third-largest shareholder after the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and operator BP.
Commenting on the achievement, Zsombor Marton, Executive Vice President for Exploration and Production at MOL Group, stated that the start of gas production represents another major step in the evolution of the ACG field. He emphasized that the project builds upon the successful history of oil production and reflects the strength of the long-standing partnership between MOL, SOCAR, BP, and other stakeholders. Marton also highlighted Azerbaijan’s strategic importance within MOL’s international upstream portfolio and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting both Azerbaijan’s energy sector and Central Europe’s energy security through its technical expertise and operational experience.
MOL strengthened its presence in Azerbaijan in 2020 through the acquisition of a 9.57% stake in the ACG field and an effective 8.9% interest in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. The BTC pipeline plays a critical role in transporting crude oil from the Caspian region to the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, providing access to international markets. Since entering the country, MOL has transported nearly 18 million barrels of crude oil from ACG through the BTC system and onward to its refining operations, including the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava and INA’s Rijeka refinery. As of 2025, the ACG asset contributes approximately 14% of MOL’s total hydrocarbon production and accounts for 26% of its total reserves.
The company has also expanded its cooperation with SOCAR beyond offshore operations. In December 2025, the two companies signed a comprehensive exploration, development, and production-sharing agreement covering an onshore area in Azerbaijan’s Shamakhi-Gobustan region. Under the arrangement, MOL acts as operator with a 65% stake, while SOCAR retains 35%. Planned activities include seismic surveys beginning in 2026, followed by exploration drilling at a later stage.
MOL continues to pursue international growth opportunities as part of its SHAPE TOMORROW strategy. The company maintains exploration and production assets across ten countries and currently produces oil and gas in eight nations, including Croatia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Russia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Hungary. To sustain production levels above 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day over the next five years, MOL is actively strengthening its global portfolio through strategic partnerships. Recent cooperation agreements with Kazakhstan’s KazMunayGas, Azerbaijan’s SOCAR, Türkiye’s TPAO, and Libya’s National Oil Corporation demonstrate the company’s commitment to expanding its international energy footprint and securing long-term production growth.
