Caspian gas bonanza: TotalEnergies unlocks 6bn cu m with Absheron FID
French major and partners sanction $4bn Absheron Full Field Development to quadruple output by 2029
Its first development phase, which came online in 2023, already delivers 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas and 12,000 barrels of condensate per year.
The Absheron project is not just another offshore development, it is a strategic move to diversify Europe’s gas supply. Gas from the field will be directed both to Azerbaijan’s domestic market and exported to Turkey through existing pipelines, strengthening the Southern Gas Corridor.
Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, emphasised the project’s alignment with the company’s low-carbon strategy. “Absheron Full Field Development is a low cost and low emissions project that will provide a long-term additional gas supply to the domestic and international markets, supporting regional energy security,” he said.
The onshore plant will be fully electrified, minimising energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Why the Caspian matters for Europe’s energy security: TotalEnergies
The Absheron Full Field Development is expected to come online in 2029, with construction already underway. TotalEnergies holds a 40% stake in the project, alongside Azerbaijan’s state-owned SOCAR (40%) and XRG (20%).
Turkey, which serves as a transit hub for Azerbaijani gas, will also benefit from increased supply stability.
Beyond Absheron, TotalEnergies is advancing other major offshore projects. Just days before the Absheron FID, the company and its partner AMNI International committed to developing the Ima gas field offshore Nigeria. The Ima field will feature a simplified platform design, electric power supply from shore, and zero flaring, aligning with the company’s emissions reduction targets.
What’s next: timeline, partners, and regional impact
Meanwhile, in Suriname, TotalEnergies is on track to achieve first output from the $12 billion GranMorgu project in mid-2028. The project, located in Block 58 adjacent to ExxonMobil’s Stabroek block in Guyana, will be the first to develop Suriname’s vast offshore resources. Annand Jagesar, head of Staatsolie, Suriname’s state-owned oil company, hailed the project as a historic milestone. “Together, we are not only developing an energy project, we are writing a new chapter in Suriname’s history,” he said during a recent site visit.
The GranMorgu project has already spent 50% of its total investment, with wellhead components and subsea architecture currently being installed. Suriname’s discovered resources are estimated at more than 2.4 billion barrels of oil and 12.5 trillion cubic feet of gas, positioning the country as a potential major player in the global energy market. TotalEnergies and its partners plan to drill four new exploratory wells in Block 58 next year, further expanding the project’s scope.
For industry observers, TotalEnergies’ recent spate of FIDs signals a deliberate strategy to balance fossil fuel expansion with emissions reduction. While the company continues to invest in oil and gas, it is also prioritising projects with lower carbon footprints, such as Absheron and Ima, which incorporate electrification, automation, and methane monitoring. This dual approach reflects the broader energy sector’s challenge: meeting growing demand while transitioning to cleaner sources.
As Absheron moves toward full production, its impact on regional energy dynamics will be closely watched. For Europe, the project offers a hedge against supply disruptions, while for Azerbaijan, it solidifies the country’s role as a critical gas exporter. With first gas expected in 2029, the clock is ticking for stakeholders to finalise infrastructure and secure offtake agreements. The next 12 months will be pivotal as TotalEnergies and its partners navigate regulatory, logistical, and market challenges to bring the project to fruition.
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