Greenfields Petroleum extends loan agreement for Azerbaijani oil project
By Gulgiz Dadashova
Greenfields Petroleum Corporation, engaged in development and production of proven oil and gas reserves mainly in Azerbaijan has announced about prolonging the loan agreement stipulating funding of the development of the Bahar-Gum Deniz block of Azerbaijani oil and gas fields in the Caspian Sea.
The deal, which was extended for the third time, also stipulates financing of operational activity of Bahar Energy Company.
The Bahar project comprises nearly 76,500 acres of producing oil field and a producing gas field 10 km offshore Azerbaijan in shallow waters (10 metres) of the Caspian Sea. Originally owned by SOCAR, Bahar Project was awarded as a concession under an exploration, rehabilitation, development and production sharing agreement (ERDSPA).
Greenfields Petroleum owns a 33.33 percent share in Bahar Energy, which is the development operator of the Bahar-Gum Deniz block.
The corporation announced that the repayment period on the loan agreement has been extended from November 25, 2013 till March 15, 2016.
“This will give the company additional time to evaluate options of refinancing and restructuring of the main part of the loan worth $27 million, including accrued interest. The interest rate will vary within 15-20 percent,” the message reads.
Bahar Energy Ltd., according to initial estimates, will invest $1 billion for implementation of works under the PSA. The PSA’s second part involves an exploration at the Bahar-2 structure ,that is drilling one exploration well in three years and another in the fourth year. Bahar field, located 40 km southeast of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, has been developed since 1969.
In February 2016, it was revealed that the process of selecting a new partner of the U.S. Greenfields Petroleum company in the Bahar Energy project has been delayed. The selected company will receive 66.67 percent share of the bankrupt Baghlan Group.
“Greenfields Petroleum still expects a confirmation from the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR). However, negotiations continue, and the final decision will be made soon,” a source told Trend earlier.
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