Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Kazakhstan may resume oil production from giant Kashagan field in the second half of December 2013, Oil and Gas Minister Uzakbai Karabalin said after the plenary session of the Majilis (lower chamber of the Kazakh Parliament) on November 13, Trend news agency reports.

"This will be announced following all analyses," the minister said. "These will take time. They can last until mid-December according to the contractors."

Karabalin confirmed that production may start after mid-December 2013.

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

The North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) - the operator of the North Caspian Project announced on October 9 that oil production from Kashagan field was suspended.

"Signs of a gas leak were detected in the second half of the day on October 9 during a planned inspection of the pipeline. This is constructed from Island D to the Bolashak plant at a distance of two kilometers from the plant in the sanitary protection zone," the company said.

Earlier a source close to the project told Trend that the results of an examination to reveal the cause of a gas leak at Kashagan field will be ready after December 15.

"According to an optimistic prognosis, oil production at the Kashagan field can be resumed after a year and according to the pessimistic prognosis after two years," the source said.