The Darwin Bank field is located in the oil and gas bearing zone of Absheron archipelago, 6 km north-east of Pirallahy Island, in a shallow area of the Caspian Sea. This is an extension of the Absheron Bank, Pirallahi Island and Gurgan-Deniz anticline. The Darwin Bank is an offshore field and has an asymmetric fold structure with a length of 13.5 km and a width of 3.5 km. It is complicated by many transverse and longitudinal faults, which divide it into 6 tectonic areas. In the area where the Darwin Bank is located, the water depth increases from 10 m to 25 m from south to north, and the depth of the sea and the relief of the seabed allow the construction of offshore platforms there. The field was discovered in 1950, which was based on the seismic exploration, geological mapping, aerophotography and deep exploration wells. First exploration was drilled in 1949 in order to map the oil bearing horizons in PK and NKP on Pirallhy Island. Between 1949-1965 total of 62 exploration and appraisal wells were drilled in Darvin Bank. First producer well has produced 5 t/d from PK horizons. In 2021-2022 2D seismic survey was carried.
In the middle of the 20th century, the appearance of gas bubbles and an oil slick on the sea attracted the attention of geologists and exploration work began in the area in 1949, which was followed by drilling operations that year. In 1950, the drilled here was put into operation with a daily production of 5 tons of oil in the range of 1,017-1,019 m. In 1949-1952, 54 wells were drilled in the field.
The Darwin Bank has a sulphur-and wax-free oil content. The share of resin is 39-47%. The highest production in the field was in 1964 with 782,000 tons of output. In 1950-1966, intensive drilling operations were conducted in the Darwin Bank. Although the field has been in development for more than 70 years, it still has significant oil reserves.
As of the 1st of January 2024, a total of 785 wells were drilled in the field, which produced 18.26 million tons of oil and 1.435 billion m3 of dissolved gas. 207 wells are still in operation in the field. The field is in the final fourth stage of its development.
Additional appraisal well is being planned in order to understand hydrocarbon volumes on Mesozoic sediments. In case of success, reserves will be increased and derisked.
The Darwin Bank field is operated by the Absheronneft OGPD of the Azneft PU.