500 thousand tonnes of oil are expected to be produced at the Kazakhstani Kashagan field in 2016

Almaty. June 15. Silkroadnews – This year 500 thousand tonnes of oil are expected to be produced at the Kazakhstani Kashagan field, KazTAG reports.

“According to our estimates, due to the accelerated work plan carried out by Kashagan operators, the mine field can start operation in October and about 500 thousand tonnes, according to our estimates, could be produced this year,” Vice Minister of Energy Aset Magauov said during the meeting on Wednesday.

He also added in the course of experimental program (experimental-industrial development – Silkroadnews) it is expected to produce 375 thousand barrels per day.

“This is about 17 million tonnes per year. This will be preceded by quite a long period of commissioning and start-up. It is expected to take around half a year to start operation at the experimental-industrial development designed capacity,” he added.

Earlier it was reported that oil production at Kashagan is scheduled to be renewed this October. At the initial stage the field’s production was expected to make 75 thousand barrels of oil per day.

Kashagan is a major oil and gas field in Kazakhstan, located in the north of the Caspian Sea. The geological oil reserves, according to recent data, have been estimated at 35 billion barrels. Its commercial resources, the experts say, are within 9-13 billion barrels of oil. There are also large reserves of natural gas – more than 1 trillion cubic meters.

The oil production at Kashagan started on September 11, 2013. However, on September 24, there was an associated gas leakage discovered in the course of a routine inspection of the pipeline going from D island to the plant “Bolashak” and production has been suspended.

After completion of repairs in October the pipeline planned inspection has once again revealed signs of leakage. The pipeline cracking under the impact of sulfide compounds was said to be a cause of gas leakage.