Kazakhstan, Astana, Feb. 18 / Trend A. Maratov /
A new version of the Oil Spills Prevention Response Plan of Kazakhstan must be ready by late 2011, Vice Minister of Oil and Gas Asset Magauov said.
"If the national plan is more declarative document in the current version, it should be the instruction in the new version. It is necessary for every company, state body to know how to react in case of emergency," Magauov said at a meeting in Astana.
For example, the prompt customs clearance of equipment, to be involved in spill prevention, must be ensured from the point of view of customs.
"The entry of foreign experts must be conducted effectively, perhaps even a visa-free entry. That is, all these issues must be reflected in the National Plan for it to become the instruction," Magauov said.
The national plan was adopted in 2000. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev instructed to revise the document in October 2010.
The Kazakh state bodies are concerned about the fact that it is planned to begin oil production at Kashagan field in late 2012.
It was also noted that the national plan must be supported by scientific research.
"It is necessary to conduct some research. At the moment, there are some studies, but the people who deal with them, worked in isolation from the national plan," Adviser to Director General of the Kazakh Institute of Oil and Gas Zhaksybek Kulekeyev said.
"A decision was made to choose one company among operators to develop principles for the establishment and operation of the association", co-chairman of KAZENERGY Coordination Council Yermek Marabayev said.
It was proposed to establish a reserve fund for the financial responsibility for oil spills as an example of international experience. It is assumed that oil producing companies, marine companies, port structures, operating in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea, will be the founders of the fund.
"Thus, a single system could be established in Kazakhstan in the future. It will include environmental studies. All this will strengthen the measures to eliminate and remove oil and restore environmental standards, " Magzum Mirzagaliyev, KMG Managing Director said.