Kashagan's operators to pay damage for air pollution
By Nazrin Gadimova
Kazakh Environment and Water Resources Ministry has sent Agip KCO and NCOC companies prescription for damages caused as a result of air pollution by emissions of substances.
"The air pollution has been caused by the combustion of acid gas in flare units of the processing facilities of the Kashagan project," the ministry announced.
"The damage amounting to 134.2 billion tenge [$1 = 182.09 tenge], is estimated in accordance with the rules of economic assessment of damage from environmental pollution," the statement reads.
Pipeline rupture, which occurred near the installation of "Bolashak" oil and gas processing complex on September 24, 2013 caused leakage of hydrogen sulphide (passing-formation gas).
The residual gas was directed and burnt in flare units of the Kashagan offshore and onshore complexes.
Ministry's Ecology Department in the Atyrau Province held an exceptional inspection of activities of the consortium developing Kashagan from September 25, 2013 to February 7, 2014.
As a result of the inspection it was found that the acid gas burnt beyond norms amounted to 2,795,149 cubic meters.
In accordance with the requirements of the Code of Kazakhstan "On Administrative Offences" administrative proceedings were instituted on the results of inspection.