Dan Ulduzu field
Dan Ulduzu field is an oil and gas field located Template:Convert northeast of Baku, Azerbaijan, west of Karabakh field, in the northern section of Absheron archipelago.<ref name=kazakhstan>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=interfax>Template:Cite news</ref> In Azerbaijani, Dan Ulduzu means Pole Star.
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Dan Ulduzu-Ashrafi bloc
The Production sharing agreement (PSA) for exploration, development and production between SOCAR and NAOC consortium for Dan-Ulduzu-Ashrafi bloc was signed on December 14, 1996. The contract area is 453 km2.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The water depth on location is Template:Convert - Template:Convert.<ref name=kazakhstan/> According to the contract, 3 exploration wells would be drilled and if successful, the production would start in 2003 with an intended output to reach 7 million tons per year by 2007. Azerbaijan would also have been paid $75 million in bonuses. Total capital investment was estimated at $2.5 billion.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After drilling of 3 exploration wells, 2 million tons of oil was discovered at Dan Ulduzu and 6 million tons was found at Ashrafi field in January 1998.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> During the exploration stage, in 1998-2001, the price for barrel of oil was below $20.<ref name=kaspiy>Template:Cite web</ref> Due to low prices, the bloc was not considered commercially viable.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On March 7, 2000 the contract for exploration ended and was not renewed by the consortium.<ref name=interfax/>
Ownership
The project was operated by North Absheron Operating Company (NAOC) which consisted of the operator Amoco (acquired by BP) (30%), SOCAR (20%), Itochu (20%), Unocal (25.5%), Delta Oil Company (4.5%).<ref name=Trend>Template:Cite news</ref> The company had spent a total of $64.5 million for exploration.<ref name=kaspiy/> The initial right for development of the field was granted to Amoco and Unocal in 1992. The other partners joined in during the mid-1990s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Drilling renewed
In early 2004, SOCAR confirmed plans to revitalize the project at Dan Ulduzu and Ashrafi fields in 2007.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> SOCAR intends to drill 19 wells by 2015 which will require an investment of 2.76 billion Azerbaijani manats.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Currently, the drilling is being carried out by Caspian Drilling Company, contracted for various projects by SOCAR.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
