The Central Azeri oil platform was shut down early Wednesday after gas was observed around the platform, although there was not a gas leak on the platform, the spokeswoman said. The West Azeri platform, which feeds its oil and gas production through Central Azeri has also been shut down as a precaution, she added.
The platforms produced around 500,000 barrels of oil and gas equivalent a day before the shutdown, around 40% of total output from the ACG fields, she said.
All personnel on the platforms have been evacuated and are safe onshore and there is no danger to the platforms, she said. The source of the gas is unknown and the company is investigating, she said, without saying when the platforms may restart.
BP is the operator of the ACG field with a 34.1% stake. Other shareholders include Chevron Corp. (CVX) with 10.2%, SOCAR with 10%, INPEX with 10%, StatoilHydro ASA (STO) with 8.6% and Exxon Mobil Corp.(XOM) with 8%.