Turan Drilling & Engineering, a joint venture (JV) between SOCAR AQS and Helmerich & Payne, has secured the renewal of a long-term contract from bp for offshore operations and maintenance (O&M) in the Caspian Sea off the coast of Azerbaijan.
The renewed agreement spans a firm period of five years, with the possibility of three additional one-year extensions. It is scheduled to begin in March 2026.
The contract value could exceed $1bn (£742.39m) if all extension options are utilised.
Helmerich & Payne offshore senior vice-president Ole Maier said: “This new long-term drilling operations contract marks a renewed chapter in our long-standing Azerbaijan partnership.
“It establishes the foundation for a wells delivery alliance, which will be built on deeper collaboration, early engagement, shared performance objectives and a unified approach to delivering the production goals that the country requires.
“It establishes a refreshed operational relationship – one that is stronger and reshapes the traditional operator‑contractor model into a true one‑team framework. We look forward to enhancing the approach to solving problems together and unlocking mutual value.”
Turan’s responsibilities under the contract include providing O&M services across eight offshore platforms: ACE, Central, East and West Azeri, Chirag, Deepwater Gunashli, Shah Deniz Alpha and West Chirag.
The scope of services encompasses personnel deployment, maintenance execution, spare parts management, warehousing, and the introduction of a new asset integrity and fabric maintenance engineering team.
Helmerich & Payne said the renewal highlights Turan’s extensive experience and enduring presence in the Caspian region, as well as its track record of delivering safe and reliable service.
BP wells vice-president Russell Morrice said: “As a long-term safe, reliable and efficient operator in the Caspian, we welcome this continued collaboration with a company that combines decades of international experience, advanced global methods and technology with SOCAR’s deep knowledge of the Caspian and its leadership in the region’s drilling industry.”
Helmerich & Payne has been active in Azerbaijan since the mid-1990s and continues to offer integrated drilling, maintenance and engineering support for bp's offshore assets.
In January 2025, Helmerich & Payne completed the acquisition of KCA Deutag International, a drilling, engineering and technology company.
