“In 2015, average daily oil production from ACG was 634,000 barrels per day. This year it is expected to be slightly less — around 630,000 barrels a day.

“I can’t comment on next year’s output amount as it is under discussion with Azerbaijan state oil company (Socar) as part of the working plan and budget for 2017,” he said.

Preventing further production losses “will be a difficult task, given the field’s age, falling well productivity and water encroachment into the wells”, he said.

“After