Kazakhstan, Astana, Aug. 2 /Trend D.Mukhtarov/
Forecasted reserves of "black gold" in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea exceed 17 billion tons (124.3 million barrels), head of Kazakhstan's national oil company KazMunaiGas Lazzat Kiinov said in an interview on Thursday.
At the same time proven hydrocarbon reserves in the country, both onshore and offshore, estimated at five billion tons, or more than 35 billion barrels, of gas - three trillion cubic meters.
Today, more than 90 percent of Kazakhstan's oil resources are concentrated in the 15 largest fields: Tengiz, Kashagan, Karachaganak, Uzen, Royal, Zhetybai, Zhanazhol, Kalamkas, Kenkiyak, Karazhanbas Kumkol North Buzachi, Alibekmola, Central and Eastern Prorva and Kenbai.
Oil and gas bearing regions of Kazakhstan (6 out of 14 regions) and their 180 oil and 50 gas fields cover about 62 percent of the country.
"The concentration of geological resources reduces the cost of their development, however, the geological features of fields, such as the nature of bedding, high impurity content of chemically active substances, require careful consideration of their service projects and significant initial investment," Kiinov said.
Approximately 70 percent of the hydrocarbons found in the West: in Atyrau region is open for more than 80 oil and gas "fields." Less than half of the 70 fields of the Mangistau region are in operation, and most - in the later stages of development (the largest of them - Uzen, Zhetybai, Kalamkas and Karazhanbas).
Aktobe region accounts for about 25 fields, and the most significant include Zhanazhol group. Seven years ago, CNPC-Aktobe announced the opening of the new field Umit on the central block of the eastern part of the Caspian basin.