BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 9. KazMunayGas (KMG), Kazakhstan’s state-owned oil and gas company, has reported a slight decline in oil production at its major projects for the first nine months of 2024, Trend reports.
At the Tengiz field, operated by the Tengizchevroil consortium, oil production decreased by 1 percent, amounting to 4.296 million tons, or approximately 125,000 barrels per day. The decrease in output was attributed to planned maintenance at two of the five technological lines at the Complex Technological Units plant in August. Additionally, the production of associated gas dropped by 2.4 percent, totaling 2.341 bcm.
Despite the challenges at Tengiz, KMG has made progress on other fronts. In April 2024, work commenced on the management of bottomhole pressure at Tengiz, with plans for the Future Expansion Project’s launch now set for the second quarter of 2025, according to the updated schedule.
Meanwhile, at the Kashagan field, KMG saw a modest increase in oil production, which rose by 0.2 percent, reaching 2.306 million tons (67,000 barrels per day). Gas production at Kashagan also saw growth, rising by 2.6 percent to 1.490 bcm. The improvements in production were credited to the reliable operation of the field's technological equipment.
At the Karachaganak field, however, KMG reported a decline in oil and condensate production, which fell by 0.8 percent, reaching 798,000 tons (23,000 barrels per day). The reduction in oil output was attributed to unscheduled compressor shutdowns as well as lower acceptance rates from the Orenburg gas processing plant. However, gas production at Karachaganak increased by 4 percent, totaling 1.705 bcm, driven by higher volumes of gas in the extracted gas-liquid mixture.
To support production at Karachaganak, KMG introduced the PRK-1A project (the 5th compressor) on September 6, 2024. The new compressor is expected to add 7.1 million tons to the field’s overall production by the end of the final production sharing agreement period, as KMG continues to implement measures to ensure stable output.