The D230 block is located in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, approximately 135 km northeast of Baku. The shortest distance to the coastline is 50 km. The block in the northern Absheron basin covers an area of roughly 3,200 km². The expected depth of the productive layers of the block is about 3,500 m. The depth of the sea in the area varies between 200 and 750 m.
SOCAR and BP Exploration (Azerbaijan) Limited signed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) on 26 April 2018 for the joint exploration and development of the D230 block. In May 2016, SOCAR and BP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on exploration work on the D230 block in Baku. In October of the same year, the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan ratified the agreement. Under the 25-year PSA, each party, SOCAR and BP, has a 50% stake. It has been decided that BP is to be an operator during the exploration period.
In December 2019, a 3D seismic survey programme was conducted in a completely safe manner to collect geophysical data on promising objects in the D230 block and determine the layers of hydrocarbon reserves, and was completed in March 2020. The obtained seismic data were processed and interpreted. Under the agreement, work is underway to determine the location for the first exploration well in the area.
During the past period, the Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (ESIA) document of the seismic surveys has been prepared and published within the D230 block exploration programme.