Kazakhstan eyes new oil export routes through Azerbaijan
By Aynur Jafarova
Kazakhstan is considering oil export routes which could go beyond Russian oil, including oil transportation from the Aktau port through the Caspian Sea, then through Azerbaijan and beyond.
These remarks were made by Kazakh Energy Ministry on October 14.
"The current situation suggests that the anti-Russian sanctions
will not affect oil and gas supplies from Russia to the EU,
including Kazakh oil supplies through Russian pipelines. However,
we are working to diversify oil exports," the ministry told
Novosti-Kazakhstan News Agency.
The ministry also noted the most potential large market for
Kazakhstan's oil is China. Another alternative option is Iran.
In August, Kazakh Economy Minister Yerbolat Dossayev said
Kazakhstan would launch a special plan developed for the situation
if further sanctions were imposed on Russia.
Kazakhstan, one of the five Central Asian countries, is rich with hydrocarbon reserves. The country's production comes mainly from five onshore fields - Tengiz, Karachaganak, Aktobe, Mangistau, and Uzen - and two offshore fields - Kashagan and Kurmangazy, both located in the Caspian Sea.
The oil production in Kazakhstan amounted to 81.7 million tons in 2013 which is 3.2 percent more than 2012. The forecasts show after 2020 around two million barrels of oil will be produced in Kazakhstan per day. The country plans to produce 83 million tons of oil, 41 billion cubic meters of gas, as well as to process 14.7 million tons of oil in 2014.