Lenders reported a rise in total net profit by 4 percent year-on-year to 455.2 million manats ($267.8 million) in the period from January to August  2021.

SOCAR said in April that BP-led consortiums would suspend West Azeri, Chirag and Shah Deniz oil and gas platforms for maintenance works in 2021.

ACG is the largest oil field block in Azerbaijan developed by a BP-led international consortium. The first production sharing agreement for developing the block was signed on September 20, 1994.

The country reduced oil exports by 9.5 percent year-on-year to 18.771 million tonnes and increased exports of natural gas by 56.4 percent to 13.242 billion cubic metres (bcm) in the period from January to August.

The bank raised the upper level of the rate corridor to 7.00 percent from 6.75 percent and the lower level - to 6.00 percent from 5.75 percent.