BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 15. Kazakhstan's crude oil production remained stable at just over 1.4 million barrels per day (mb/d) in December, according to the latest data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), Trend reports.
The flat output reflects ongoing unscheduled maintenance at the Tengiz oil field, the agency noted, where corrosion issues at the Second-Generation Plant’s waste heat boiler have kept about a quarter of its 600,000 b/d capacity offline. Maintenance is expected to continue until mid-January 2025.
The IEA has factored the slower ramp-up of the Tengiz expansion project, which is set to add 260,000 b/d, into its 2025 production forecast, reducing the outlook by 130,000 b/d.
Meanwhile, Tengizchevroil and KMG Petrochem announced a significant gas sales agreement in December to supply associated gas to KMG Petrochem’s processing facilities. The plant, designed to handle 1.6 million tons per year (mtpa) of ethane and 300,000 mtpa of propane, aims to support domestic and industrial use. Ethane extracted will contribute to polyethylene production under Kazakh control, while propane is earmarked for local consumption.
Construction of the gas processing unit is slated to begin in 2025, with operations expected to start by the end of the decade, marking a significant step in Kazakhstan's efforts to enhance its petrochemical capabilities.
At the same time, Tengizchevroil completed maintenance at the Tengiz field on January 15. The field is expected to reach full production capacity after maintenance by January 18. In November 2024, the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan reported that the country plans to fully restore oil production at the field by the beginning of December.