Kazakhstan, Astana, Oct. 9 / Trend , K.Konyrova/
More than 70 percent of the construction work under the first phase of the project on development of the Kashagan field in Kazakhstan should finish by late 2009, Managing Director of the North Caspian Operating Company BV (NCOC), Pierre Offant told Trend .
"72 percent of the first phase - the phase of construction of the Kashagan project - should be completed by the end of this year," said Offant.
He said a total of 40 wells will be drilled. At the stage of full development, Kashagan could provide production, similar to the volume required to cover 10 percent of daily energy needs of Europe, said Offant.
Since Oct. 31, 2008 the NCOC serves as the operator of the North-Caspian project. The Kashagan field is located 80 km south-east of Atyrau. This is the largest field in Kazakhstan, whose reserves are estimated at 35 billion barrels.
The field extends for 75 km from east to west and 45 km from north to south. This is a complex reservoir with high pressure and high hydrogen sulfur content (over 15 per cent).
Marine work is conducted in conditions of extreme continental climate. The sea is covered with ice for five months a year - from November to March. The ice on the sea, shallow water and sea-level fluctuations determines the need for integrated solutions for logistics, as well as the introduction of new technological solutions that have no analogues in the world.
The participants of an international consortium composed of JSC KazMunayGaz National Company, Eni, ExxonMobil, Shell, Total, ConocoPhillips, and Inpex.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at: [email protected]