The Baku-based branch of Gulf Drilling is set to expand its use of a mobile drilling rig which will allow it to begin searching for oil and gas wells at a depth of up to 3km, the company has announced.

In a statement, the group also said that it was committed to the regular training and development of Azerbaijani workers involved in drilling projects and has already trained 200 permanent staff and 100 additional workers on a temporary basis.

Commenting on a new drilling partnership with AzGerNeft, branch director Ilham Babayev commented: "AzGerNeft requests drilling of two wells. The drilling terms depend on the wells' depth. So far they have ordered the first well for 2,300 meters to show geologic profile of the field."

According to APA Economics, Gulf Drilling has invested $20 million in Azerbaijan since beginning operations in the country, in addition to sending around 100 workers overseas to take part in oil and gas training courses.

5th Global Education and Training event for Oil and Gas: Exploration and Production