Complex Drilling Works Trust
SOCAR’s Complex Drilling Works Trust (CDWT) was established by Decree No. 539 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 7 March 2007. Since its establishment, CDWT has played a significant role in Azerbaijan’s oil and gas industry by delivering drilling services and supporting the adoption of advanced technologies across the sector.
Today, CDWT operates through four core divisions covering the full spectrum of its operations. Offshore Drilling and Onshore Drilling Production Divisions lead core activities, while Drilling Services Production Division provides technical support and the Central Warehouse and Logistics Division manages supply and logistics operations.
Offshore Drilling Production Division
Onshore Drilling Production Division
Drilling Services Production Division
Central Warehouse and Logistics Division
Business Areas and Production Capabilities
CDWT’s core business is the drilling of exploration and production wells and the provision of well services across oil and gas fields in Azerbaijan’s sector of the Caspian Sea and onshore areas of the country. Drawing on decades of industry experience and combining it with the latest scientific and technological advances, CDWT is committed to delivering every project to the highest standards of quality and safety while minimizing its environmental impact. The application of internationally recognized drilling technologies, efficient operational management, and a strong commitment to safety are among the organization’s key priorities.
Over the course of its operations, CDWT has completed more than 2 million meters of drilling and delivered over 1,200 wells to clients. These milestones reflect the Company’s extensive industry experience, strong technical capabilities, and highly skilled professional team.
Local and International Projects
Throughout its operations, CDWT has successfully delivered drilling projects across several oil and gas fields both onshore and offshore in Azerbaijan. These include Neft Dashlari, Bulla-Deniz, Gunashli, West Absheron, Pirallahi, Gurgan, Siyazan, Garadagh, Sangachal-Duvanni-Khara-Zira, and Kursangi.
In recent years, CDWT has also expanded its international operations, successfully carrying out drilling projects in cooperation with Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) of the Republic of Türkiye.
Today, CDWT is further expanding its international operations and has commenced drilling operations in Israel in cooperation with Mosestro Exploration Limited Partnership, an Israeli company.
Comprehensive Drilling Services
CDWT has extensive experience in delivering projects under both Turnkey and Day Rate contract models. The Company has the capability to manage drilling operations end-to-end, from planning through to full execution.
CDWT’s technical and operational capabilities cover a wide range of services, including drilling vertical, horizontal, and highly deviated wells with inclination angles of up to 90°, rig installation, casing running, installation and dismantling of wellhead equipment, cementing, and the resolution of drilling complications and incidents.
A notable example of CDWT’s technical capabilities is the successful running of a screen to a depth of 722 meters in open hole at the West Absheron field.
Complex Drilling Projects and Advanced Technologies
One of the key projects demonstrating CDWT’s professional and technical capabilities was the drilling of the first well that led to the discovery of the Umid field, one of the world’s geologically complex fields.
Another significant milestone was the drilling of Well No. 91 at the Bulla-Deniz field to a depth of 6,703 metres using advanced MPD (Managed Pressure Drilling) technology. Applied for the first time in the Caspian region under geologically complex drilling conditions, this technology represents a strong example of CDWT’s technological capabilities and expertise in managing complex drilling operations.
These projects demonstrate CDWT’s capabilities not only as a provider of conventional drilling services, but also as a specialized drilling company with the expertise to deploy advanced drilling technologies in complex geological environments.
Operational Management Centre and Digital Transformation
CDWT places strong emphasis on the use of innovative technologies and modern management practices across its production, management, and engineering activities.
To support this approach, CDWT’s Operational Management Centre has been modernized in line with current requirements to provide real-time engineering oversight of drilling operations across production sites, deliver engineering support to field teams, and enable agile decision-making.
The Centre is staffed by highly qualified engineers educated at leading universities around the world. Alongside continuous monitoring of drilling operations, it plays an important role in strengthening production communications and information sharing across CDWT.
The integration of video surveillance systems installed on stationary offshore platforms with the Operational Management Centre enables remote, real-time monitoring of activities and processes at production sites.
The Centre regularly holds live meetings and morning operational briefings with production sites. This approach enables the team to assess field conditions promptly, identify potential risks at an early stage, address technical issues efficiently, and manage production processes more effectively.
Professionalism, Innovation and a Vision for the Future
Today, CDWT combines its extensive operational experience with modern technologies, professional talent, and innovative management practices, enabling the Company to deliver competitive drilling services both in Azerbaijan and internationally.
CDWT’s key objective is to continuously advance safety, quality, efficiency, and innovation in drilling operations, deliver services in line with international standards, and successfully apply the expertise and experience of Azerbaijan’s drilling industry to international projects.
With more than 19 years of operational experience, CDWT has built strong production expertise, technical capabilities, professional human resources, and the capacity to deploy advanced technologies, further strengthening its position as a significant drilling services provider in the region.