"KazMunayTeniz": a carrier of Kazakhstan interests on the sea

Kazakhstan has recently started carrying out of individual oil operations on the sea. Yermek Marabayev, General Director of “KazMunayTeniz” company that develops offshore projects in the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea, told about the progress of such operations.

— Your company is engaged in offshore oil operations. How do you think whether it is possible to expect discoveries of new oil and gas fields in the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea?

— Surely. Potential of oil-and-gas content of the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea is evident. Such fields as Kashagan, Kairan and Aktoty were discovered in the subsalt Paleozoic deposits. Kalamkas-More and Khazar were discovered in the Mesozoic deposits, and Khvalynskoye and Sarmatskoye fields were discovered in the adjacent Russian structures. Both the Caspian oil-and-gas province and the raise and downfold system of the Scythian-Turan platform are unique with respect to oil-and-gas content, however, they both have complicated geological structures. Considerable thickness of deposits has favourable conditions for accumulation of hydrocarbons in the whole geological section. The works on development of the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea are at the initial stage only, but there is significant geologic-geophysical material that allows the company to forecast with greater extent of confidence the potential of oil-and-gas content. In spite of the ecological complexity of the region and complexity of geological structure, the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea will not lose its investment attractiveness within the whole long period of exploration.

— Your company performs works in Zhemchuzhiny field. When do you expect to get the first oil there?

— The first oil in Zhemchuzhiny field is expected by 2016. This includes four structures, where, according to the most optimal variant, the first oil is expected in the year 2016 from Khazar structure.

“KazMunayTeniz” received oil in Zhemchuzhiny field from three wells – on Auezov and Khazar structures. That was a good result of the company’s work. Today, there are two drilled exploratory wells and one appraisal well. According to preliminary estimates, Khazar field may be referred to a category of medium fields with profitable results of a field development. The company has already obtained industrial oil influx from several deposits both on Auezov and Khazar structures.

The area includes also two structures — Naryn and Tulpar, the results of exploratory work on which will be very important. Exploratory drilling on such structures is planned to be carried out in the next 1-2 years.

Zhemchuzhiny field is located in the North Caspian, 120 km far from Bautino. The sea depth does not exceed 10 meters. Basic perspectives of oil-and-gas content of Zhemchuzhiny field relate to the Jurassic sediments.

— There is another contract area near Bautino – Kurmangazy, which is being developed by your company jointly with a subsidiary company of the Russian company “Rosneft” Tell us, please, about the progress of the project?

— This summer Kurmangazy Petroleum LLP finished 2D seismic operations in Kalniyaz field of Kurmangazy contract area.
The works will be performed on the basis of the “zero discharge” principle. Air guns were used as seismic sources without any negative impact on the environment.
The analysis of available seismic materials shows that Kalniyaz field located in the northern part of the contract area is situated on the western extension of Naryn Val, which is associated with oil and gas accumulations of Zhemchuzhiny field – this evidences high potential of the area.

In addition, we carry out a preliminary estimation of a potential of pre-Jurassic deposits.

— “KazMunayTeniz” is the only oil company in Kazakhstan that performs works in the Caspian Sea. What long-term objectives are set in your company?

— Both our strategic foreign partners and JSC “KazMunayTeniz”, as the final result, are aimed at acquisition of income. However, as opposed to foreign companies, “KazMunayTeniz” protects the state interests: it provides implementation of the programme for training of local specialists, nationalization of workplaces; it controls the growth of Kazakhstan content in goods, works and services; it carries out coordination and management of activity of operating companies established specially for execution of offshore operations under implementation of the state programme for development of the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea. In the long term an important objective of “KazMunayTeniz” is to increase the cost of state assets through increase in hydrocarbon reserves in the shelf area of the Caspian Sea.

— And what principles of cooperation with foreign companies do you consider the most important?

— At present we cooperate successfully with such well-known transcontinental oil companies as “Rosneft”, Lukoil, “Shell”, “Omanoil”, “Repsol”. Our company enters into a joint activity contract with each partner. It should be noted that “KazMunayTeniz” and its partners adhere to main principles of cooperation: observance of Kazakhstan legislation in the sphere of subsoil use, environmental protection, as well as compliance with all requirements of contracts and production sharing agreements; sharing of all material obligations and benefits in proportion to relevant economic interests; avoidance of impairment of rights and violation of obligations of a partner; openness and transparency in relation to each other; settlement of any disputes or disagreements by means of negotiations.

— Today great attention is paid to preservation of the environment. What does your company do to solve this important problem?

— Preservation of a natural balance in the region is the most important component of the policy and strategy of our company. The company is in strict compliance with national legislation and international laws in the sphere of environmental protection. Effective combination of management, environmental protection measures and implementation of modern technology allows us to speak about minimal impact on the environment.

Thus, at the present time all works of “KazMunayTeniz” are performed on the basis of the "zero discharge" principle. Industrial and domestic wastes are collected into special tanks located at a drilling rig and transported then on shore for subsequent utilization on special dumps.

We do hope that our accident-free activities related to exploration of perspective areas and construction of well will have not any negative impact on the environment. For this purpose in the course of exploratory works we use the most modern technology, mechanisms and devices that correspond to the world standards. We carry out permanent ecological monitoring of projects our company takes participation in. At present such observations are carried out locally, but we are planning to take participation in the nearest future in development and implementation of the regional environmental monitoring system in the northern part of the Caspian Sea.

Within the framework of signed contracts “KazMunayTeniz” is developing the following projects:

• Tyub-Karagan;
• Atash;
• Kurmangazy;
• Zhemchuzhiny;
• Zhambai.

Perspective projects of the company

• N;
• Zhambyl;
• Satpayev.