Oil output resumes at Karachaganak at planned level of 12 mln tonnes per year - Kazakh energy minister

MOSCOW. Oct 12 (Interfax) - Oil production at the Karachaganak Field has resumed following planned maintenance, Kazakh Energy Minister Bolat Akchulakov told journalists on the sidelines of Russian Energy Week.

"According to plan, production within the limits of 12 million [tonnes of oil] annually," Akchulakov said.

Oil production at Karachaganak was halted between September 12 and October 6 for a scheduled overhaul.

The Karachaganak Field is one of the largest worldwide, with reserves estimated at 1.2 billion tonnes of oil and 1.35 trillion cubic meters of gas. Karachaganak's development is carried out by an international consortium under KPO which includes Shell (SPB: RDS.A) at 29.25% through wholly-owned affiliate company BG Karachaganak Ltd, Eni at 29.25%, Chevron at 18%, Lukoil at 13.5%, and KazMunayGas at 10% in line with a PSA signed for 40 years in 1997.