Production Begins at East Azeri in the Caspian Sea

The Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC), operated by BP, today announced the start-up of oil production from the East Azeri platform four months ahead of schedule. East Azeri completes Phase 2 of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field development in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea. Phase 3, which will develop the Deep Water Gunashli area of ACG, remains on schedule to commence production in 2008