Panorama (Almaty)
By Elena BYTYRINA
The International Consortium, Karachaganak Petroleum Operating (KPO), which is operating the major oil and gas condensate deposit Karachaganak in the WKO, produced over 9 billion cbm of gas and over 7 million tonnes of liquid hydrocarbons in 2004.
In 2003, the level of gas output at Karachaganak totaled 5.51 billion cbm, and liquid hydrocarbons were 5.73 million tonnes, and in 2002 these indicators were equal to 4.73 billion cbm and 5.2 million tonnes, respectively. According to the Consortium, they managed to reach significant growth in output of unrefined materials as a result of the completion of major projects during the second part of 2003 within the second phase of development of Karachaganak, which began in 1998. We would like to remind you that modern operational facilities were constructed including the Karachaganak Processing Complex, the unit for complex preparation and re-injection of gas into the reservoir with three compressors (Unit-2), and 635-km Karachaganak – Bolshoy Chagan – Atyrau export pipeline, which connected the deposit with the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) system, and provided for the transportation of Karachaganak unrefined products to global markets. In addition, operational facilities that were built during the Soviet times were modernised during recent years, and the workover of over 100 wells conducted, and a 120 Megawatt power plant was built. KPO investments into these large-scale facilities exceeded USD 4 B.
KPO notes that currently, the level of production at the deposit meets planned figures during the moment of completion of the second phase of its operation.
Earlier, the consortium discussed its plans to boost annual gas output up to 10-13 billion cbm, and liquid hydrocarbons of up to 10-10.5 million tonnes with the commissioning of new facilities. Currently, the consortium ships large volumes of gas for processing to Orenburg in Russia, and re-injects the remaining portion back into the reservoir for maintaining pressure and supplies to local consumers. Liquid products are transported mainly via the CPC system (these supplies began in May 2004), and are partially shipped to Orenburg.
KPO is a consortium that includes the BG Group (32.5%), Eni (32.5%), ChevronTexaco (20%) and LUKOIL (15%). The 40-year Final Production Sharing Agreement, signed in 1998, regulates the Consortium operations. Kazakhstan’s forecasted revenue during its operation will total over USD 14 B. During these years it is planned to produce 320 million tonnes of liquid hydrocarbons and 797 billion cbm of gas at the deposit. Karachaganak reserves total over 1.2 billion tonnes of liquid hydrocarbons and 1.3 trillion cbm of gas.
