Explosion Off Azerbaijan Caused by Mud Volcano

A towering pillar of fire in Azerbaijan’s energy-rich sector of the Caspian Sea late on the 4^th July was caused by a mud volcano, according to the country’s Emergencies Ministry.

The eruption, which continued to smoulder on the 5^th July, didn’t affect nearby oil and natural gas platforms, the ministry said in a statement.

BP Plc, which operates the country’s largest oil and natural gas projects of ACG and Shah Deniz, said its operations continue as normal and no damage was caused to its infrastructure.

Azerbaijan’s state energy company Socar said there was no damage to its platforms in the area.

“The incident in the Caspian Sea is a sign of a mud volcano,” Director of the Republican Seismological Service Centre under ANAS Gurban Yetirmishli told APA.

 https://t.co/00kv7ECFJU pic.twitter.com/AP3BGVeYy1 — APA News Agency (@APA_English) 4^th July 2021.

Mud volcanoes, which are frequently located near oil and gas deposits, are common both on land and offshore in Azerbaijan.

Source: Rigzone