Oil output at Kashagan not yet fully restored, currently at 100,000 bpd - Kazakh Energy Ministry

NUR-SULTAN. Aug 12 (Interfax) - Hydrocarbon production at the Kashagan field has not yet been fully restored following a gas leak at the site last week, the press service for the Kazakh Energy Ministry said.

"An inspection is being carried out, and a plan is being developed to gradually restore oil production. The second compressor was launched from August 9 to August 10 on Island D, and daily production at Kashagan is currently around 100,000 barrels per day," the press service said.

Kazakh Energy Minister Bulat Aqchulaqov visited the field's production sites on Thursday, to check on "the progress of repair works at the Bolashak processing plant, the commissioning of two compressors on Island D, and the timeframes for completing all restoration work," the press service said.

"The Minister of Energy requested a report from the management of the plant, following the repairs, on the causes of the gas leak and the steps made to resume production," according to the statement.

The ministry could not provide data on daily production at the field prior to the incident. The Kashagan field has produced a total of 7.2 million tonnes of oil and 4.4 billion cubic meters of associated petroleum gas since the beginning of 2022, the ministry said.

The operator of the field, North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) said early on August 10 that production, which was suspended on August 3 due to a gas leak at the Bolashak plant, was being gradually restored.