BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 26. The volumes of domestic gas consumption grew drastically in Kazakhstan over the years, Trend reports with reference to Senate of Kazakh Parliament.
“Sharp increase in use of gas in local market has led to the fact that over the past five years, consumption volumes have grown by 35 percent. This trend is expected to continue this year as well. At the same time, there is no reason to hope for an increase in gas production at existing gas fields,” Member of Kazakh Parliament’s Senate Erik Sultanov said at a governmental meeting.
He emphasized that in terms of its structure, the gas produced in Kazakhstan is mainly associated petroleum gas, more than 80 percent of which is produced at the Karachaganak, Kashagan and Tengiz projects.
At the same time, analysis of production sharing agreements concluded with the subsoil users of these fields shows the priority of oil production.
“Volumes of gas reinjected into the reservoir are increasing annually to maintain reservoir pressure. According to the results of 2021, the increase in these volumes amounted to about 39 percent and by 2030, according to the forecasts of QazaqGaz NC JSC, they will exceed 50 percent," Sultanov noted.
“Along with this, subsoil users retain little interest in implementation of new gas production and processing projects due to high costs, low purchase prices and profitability. Such a trend, starting from 2024 may lead to a shortage of commercial gas in the country. At the same time, in terms of its reserves, Kazakhstan ranks 22nd in the world and third in Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS),” Sultanov added.