Kazakhstan, Astana, October 7/ Trend D.Mukhtarov /
On October 6, after the completion of repair work, wells were opened and oil production resumed without any difficulty in the Kashagan field, Oil and Gas Ministry of Kazakhstan said.
"In accordance with standard practice, the ground part of the pipeline has been isolated. Pressure relief and cleaning with nitrogen in order to ensure safe access was then carried out.
On September 26, excavation work for opening the pipeline was conducted. The inspection of the pipeline site began on September 27. The source of the leak was determined and repair work began on September 28. Currently the reason was found and repair work completed, "the ministry said.
All work is carried out in strict accordance with the requirements of republic and international safety rules.
It can be recalled a gas leak was detected at the Kazakh Bolashak Integrated Oil and Gas Plant in Atyrau which receives oil from the Kashagan field on Sep. 24.
The leak was detected 2.5 kilometres from the plant in the sanitary protection zone. The Atyrau region's Department of Emergency Situations was immediately notified of the incident.
An Investigation was carried out in accordance with safety requirements. Toxic hydrogen sulphide was not released into the air and nobody was injured.
All manufacturing facilities in onshore and offshore complexes were transferred to standby mode and oil production was temporarily suspended. The situation within and outside the sanitary protection zone is under control.
The Atyrau region's Department of Emergency Situations and Department of Ecology initiated inspections into the incident.