Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Kazakhstan's government has introduced a ban on the export of petroleum products starting from July 1, 2013. The decision came into effect on July 1.

"A ban should be introduced on the export of light distillates and products, kerosene, gas oil and other petroleum products, except special gasoline, light distillates and home heating oil from July 1 until December 31, 2013," says the document, signed by Kazakh Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov and published in the official press on August 7.

According to the government's decision, quantitative restrictions to the amount of 100,000 tons were set for the export of light distillates.

There is a ban in Kazakhstan on the export of some products such as light distillates and products, kerosene, gas oil as well as other petroleum products. These restrictions were imposed in January 2013 for a period of six months but did not apply to special gasoline products and domestic heating oil.

As is known, a ban on the export of certain types of petroleum products is in effect in the Central Asian country till June 1. Every six months Kazakhstan extends the prohibition.

In 2012, production of oil and oil and gas condensate in Kazakhstan amounted to 79.2 million tons.

The volume of exports of oil and gas condensate amounted to 68.616 million tons last year.

Kazakhstan's largest hydrocarbon fields are Kashagan, Tengiz and Karachaganak.

Recoverable oil reserves of Kashagan field are estimated at 11 billion barrels, whereas total geological raw material reserves stand at 35 billion barrels. It is believed to be the largest oil field in the world after Prudo Bay in Alaska. Besides, natural gas reserves are estimated at over 1 trillion cubic meters.

The commencement of commercial production at Kashagan is expected by mid-2013. The first phase of the project envisions the volume of production at around 370,000 barrels of oil per day with a possible increase to 450,000 barrels. The second phase envisages increasing production to 375,000 bpd within at least three years.

The Tengiz oil field was discovered in 1979 and is one of the deepest and largest oil fields in the world. Reserves of the deposit are estimated at 750 million to 1.1 billion tons (6-9 billion barrels) of recoverable oil.

Karachaganak is one of the world's largest fields. Its oil reserves amount to 1.2 billion tons, while those of natural gas - 1.35 trillion cubic meters. 49 percent of Kazakhstan's gas production and 18 percent of oil production comes from this field.