Kazakhstan, Astana, Nov. 1 / D. Mukhtarov/
More than 70 per cent of emissions in Atyrau region of Kazakhstan falls to the share of Tengizchevroil (TCO), the Liter Kazakh newspaper quoted the chief of Zhayik Caspian Ecology Department of Atyrau region Erbol Kuanov as saying on Thursday.
"Last year TCO emissions to the atmosphere amounted to 58 tons without any treatment due to lack of treatment facilities" Kuanov said.
According to him, in recent years, emissions, excessing the standards have become systematic and recurrent in three TCO plants.
"Some 700 such cases have been registered within five years. According to the regional health care agency, a 21 per cent increase in respiratory diseases has been detected in recent years among the population of Zhylyoi region where Tengiz field is located, " Kuanov said.
According to the academician of Kazakh National Academy of Sciences Muftakh Diarov, within 1993 - 2011, TCO emissions to the atmosphere amounted to 1.2 million tons of toxic substances through production of 230 million tons of oil.
"Four kilos 360 grams of toxic substances account for 1 ton of oil at a rate of 2.25 pounds," Diarov said.
He also noted that, in addition, 40 per cent of TCO emissions fall to the share of the Caspian Sea, the current state of which is not researched at all.
"The company does not pay attention to the health of the population. According to doctors, in recent years, the overall incidence of Kulsary residents (the center of Zhylioy district) have increased ten times," Diarov said.
According to official data, oil and gas sphere entities and public energy utilities, with annual emissions amounting to 100.000 tons, or 201 kg per capita, cause the greatest harm to the atmosphere in the Atyrau region.
The Tengiz field was discovered in 1979 and is one of the deepest oil fields in the world. Tengizchevroil was established In April 1993 following the signing of an agreement between the Kazakh government and Chevron Corporation. Currently, TCO shareholders are Chevron with 50 per cent, KMG with 20 per cent, ExxonMobil with 25 per cent and LukArco with five per cent.