How is oil extracted from beneath the Caspian Sea?

Petroleum and natural gas are the most significant resources in the Caspian Sea region, with exploitation efforts expanding significantly since the mid-20th century.12

To extract oil from beneath the seabed, the industry utilizes two primary methods:

• Drilling platforms: These structures are used to reach and extract hydrocarbon reserves located deep beneath the sea floor.1
• Artificial islands: These are constructed to facilitate drilling and extraction operations in specific areas of the sea.1

The development of these resources can be highly complex. For example, fields like the Tengiz field require specialized equipment to manage challenges such as extremely high well pressure, large volumes of natural gas, and high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas. While the northern Caspian is home to major discoveries like the Kashagan field, the most promising reserves are generally found under the northeastern portion of the sea and its adjacent coastal areas.31