Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Oil production from Kazakhstan's giant Kashagan field, which was suspended on September 26, was resumed after completion of repair work on October 6,the Oil and Gas Ministry reported.

The ministry said that the repair work was started on September 28. The ground part of the pipeline was isolated and safe access was censured by carrying out pressure relief and cleaning with nitrogen.

All work was carried out in strict accordance with the requirements of the country's and international safety rules. Toxic hydrogen sulfide was not released into the air and nobody was injured.

All manufacturing facilities in onshore and offshore complexes were transferred to standby mode, oil production was temporarily suspended. Currently the situation within and outside the sanitary protection zone is under control.

On September 24 gas leak was detected at 2.5 kilometers from Kazakh Bolashak Integrated Oil and Gas Plant in the sanitary protection zone. The plant which is located in the Atyrau region receives oil from Kashagan field in Kazakh section of the Caspian Sea.

Atyrau region's Department of Emergency Situations was immediately notified of the incident.

Kashagan is one of the largest fields discovered in the past 40 years. Recoverable oil reserves of Kashagan are estimated at 11 billion barrels, whereas total geological crude reserves stand at 35 billion barrels. Besides, natural gas reserves are estimated at over 1 trillion cubic meters.

Recoverable oil reserves of Kashagan field are estimated at 11 billion barrels, whereas total geological raw material reserves stand at 35 billion barrels. Besides, natural gas reserves are estimated at over 1 trillion cubic meters.

The first well in the Kashagan field was reopened and first oil volumes were produced on September 11.