TotalEnergies has unveiled a groundbreaking innovation at Azerbaijan’s Absheron gas field — the world’s first industrial-scale automated underwater pipeline cleaning system.

Speaking at the 30th Anniversary Baku Energy Forum, Emmanuel de-Guillebon, Managing Director and Country Chair of TotalEnergies Azerbaijan, said the innovation will be a key part of Phase 2 of the field’s development.

“The subsea pipeline’s considerable length, combined with the transport of a gas and condensate mixture, creates a high risk of wax and hydrate formation,” he explained. “During the initial phase, cleaning may be needed monthly, which, if done manually, would demand significant marine operations and cause downtime.”

To address this, TotalEnergies is developing a subsea unit capable of loading and automatically launching multiple pipeline pigs — specialized cleaning devices known as PIGs. “This system will eliminate the need for costly marine operations and minimize production interruptions,” de-Guillebon added.

While similar technologies have been tested in Brazil, their full-scale application in the Caspian Sea marks a global first. “We’ve spent many years working with suppliers to bring this concept to life, and we’re now ready to implement it in Azerbaijan,” said de-Guillebon, calling it “a benchmark for the entire industry.”

The Absheron gas field, located around 100 km southeast of Baku, is operated by JOCAP, the joint operating company of Absheron Petroleum. It began producing gas in July 2023. In a significant move, ADNOC joined the project in August 2023 by acquiring a 30% stake, while SOCAR and TotalEnergies each hold 35%.

This development further cements Azerbaijan’s strategic role in the global energy landscape.