Water use

Our target is to use water resources rationally with the aim to preserve them. Excessive and irrational water consumption may lead to impacts associated with the depletion of water resources and water shortage for industrial and economic needs, deterioration of aquatic ecosystems and water bodies becoming increasingly incapable of natural reproduction and purification.

KPO controls the use of clean water at the Company by undertaking a set of measures on conservation of water resources and re-use of treated water, wherever possible.

In 2021, the total KPO water consumption was 395,386 m³, of which technical water made up 314,127 m³, and potable water — 81,259 m³.

In 2021, the volume of water used by KPO for production needs was 16% lower than in 2020. The domestic needs’ water consumption was lower too versus 2020. The reduction of water consumption was related to the drilling scope cut, lower consumption of water during transportation, measures to optimize water consumption due to a decrease in the water level in holding pond № 1 at the Konchubai Gully, secondary use for technical needs of treated wastewater from storage ponds, rainwater and meltwater from irrigation lagoons and groundwater from wells.

KPO water consumption, 2019 — 2021

The main source of water supply for production needs is the Karachaganak field is a holding pond No.1 at the Konchubai gully, for household and domestic needs it is a Zharsuatwater intake. The source of water supply for domestic and production needs of the Bolshoi Chagan OPS is the Serebryakovskiy water intake, for Atyrau Terminal OPS is the Kigach water intake.

Konchubai Gully is not part of the list of fishery waters based on the WQO Administration Resolution dated 22.12.2014 (No.325). The Konchubai Gully is not fed by groundwater; it collects water only during springtime by snow melting and rainfalls.

According to the Special Water Use Permit valid until 24.05.2025 for water intake from the Konchubai Gully for industrial needs, the KPO annual intake limit constitutes 741,432 м³. The Permit is issued by the RSE ‘Zhaiyk-Caspian Basin Inspectorate for Water Resources Management and Conservation of Water Resources Committee of the RoQ Ministry of Environmental Protection, Geology & Natural Resources’. The holding pond № 1 at the Konchubai Gully is operated in line with the Operating Rules for ensuring optimum water use conditions, integrity of structures, environmental protection, and also as per the Process operating procedure for safe operation and maintenance of the holding pond’s hydraulic structures.

The combination of prolonged dry periods and little snow floods observed in the region led to a critical decrease in the water level in holding pond № 1 in 2021. In this regard, during 2021, KPO carried out a number of activities allowing technical water consumption optimization and reuse of treated wastewater, rainwater, melt water, as well as groundwater from wells after conducting experimental filtration studies at wells. The Company focused its research on the possibility of water consumption from alternative water sources.

Water intake from other sources is ensured through contracts with water suppliers.

The potable water is used exclusively for domestic needs of the KPO facilities. At the Bolshoi Chagan OPS the potable water is supplied by the RSE KazVodKhoz WQO Branch and, due to absence of alternative sources of water supply, is used only to replenish the fire tanks for fire safety purposes.

Table below shows KPO’s water consumption broken down by sources.

KPO water consumption in 2019-2021 by sources, m³

Note:  water consumption is metered using meters with measurements entered in the logbooks and further in the KPO water consumption metering database.