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NCOC talks Marine Access Channels Project plans at Kazakh Kashagan field

Oil&Gas Materials 22 April 2021 17:43 (UTC +04:00)
NCOC talks Marine Access Channels Project plans at Kazakh Kashagan field

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Apr. 22

By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:

North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) will commence the Marine Access Channels Project implementation on time, the NCOC official told Trend.

On Apr. 7, 2021 NCOC informed the public about Marine access channels project, which became quite controversial with some experts criticizing these plans. The company is also planning to conduct an open round-table in respect of the Marine Access Channels Project for the purpose of discussing the issues of interest with stakeholders

With holding the round-table NCOC aims to address concerns raised about its operations, recognizing that public respect and confidence are earned through open communications and community involvement.

“By holding this round table we want to discuss the community’s concerns regarding MAC project and increase community’s awareness about this project, as well as collect and investigate community recommendations,” the official said.

The official noted that the project has already passed all required state expertise and has formally received state authorities approvals.

“As per current plans NCOC will commence the project implementation on time. In the meantime, NCOC aims to consider all recommendations documented during this round table,” the official added.

The official added that dredging is the most physically practical option for continued operations of Kashagan for at least the next decade due to the fact that other alternatives and complementary solutions are not matured enough to withstand the challenge of Caspian sea level fall immediately.

“The MAC project is deemed the only solution that meets the immediate safety requirements, supports ongoing operations and maintenance requirements in a timely manner. There is no other practical solution in the short term without putting at risk the safety of the personnel and the operations,” the official added.

The North Caspian Project is the first major offshore oil and gas development in Kazakhstan. It covers three fields: Kashagan, Kairan, and Aktoty.

The Kashagan field is one of the three largest oil fields located in the northern part of the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea. Its recoverable reserves reach approximately 9-13 billion barrels (1-2 billion tons) of oil.

The first commercial oil production started at Kashagan in 2016. The project operator North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) shipped the first million tons of oil for export in early 2017. NCOC has reached a record-breaking volume of oil extraction at the field (390,000-400,000 barrels a day) in 2019.

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