Kazakhstan Says Gas Supplies Are Stable After Karachaganak Output Cut

Oil production at Kazakhstan's Karachaganak field has been cut by nearly a third, but the Energy Ministry claims domestic gas supplies have not been disrupted, Orda.kz reports.

Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov told reporters on the sidelines of parliament that gas production at Karachaganak had been reduced from 34,000 to 25,000 tons — a cut of 9,000 tons.

We have been forced to reduce production at the Karachaganak field from 34 to 25 thousand tons. Naturally, our gas intake has now been reduced. But the gas supply of the whole of Kazakhstan has not been disrupted. All our obligations to supply gas are fully fulfilled,Akkenzhenov said.

The minister added that despite the drop in output at one of the country's largest fields, there is no gas shortage for consumers and supplies are continuing as usual.

Separately, planned maintenance has begun at the Atyrau Oil Refinery and will run until July, affecting dozens of technological units. Specialists will inspect reactors, tanks, columns and heat exchange equipment, replace sections of pipelines and more than 335 tons of catalysts, and upgrade equipment at one of the plants to increase output of gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel.

The refinery also claims the maintenance will not affect the domestic market, with oil product shipments continuing from pre-formed reserves.

Original author: Alina Elgeldina

Read also:

• EAEU May Extend Zero Fuel Duties as Russian Refineries Struggle
• Attack On Russian Gas Plant Again Raises Question Of Karachaganak Gas
• Chinese Contractor Starts Work To Expand Aktau Port’s Cargo Capacity