OREANDA-NEWS. October 07, 2011. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has teamed up with Kazakhstan’s Ministry for Emergency Situations with an agreement to develop large-scale emergency response capacity for offshore oil & gas projects, modernise crisis management centres and develop effective international emergency coordination, reported the press-centre of EBRD.

The importance of efficient emergency actions has been underscored by many large-scale incidents at oil & gas operations around the world. Therefore the EBRD and the government of Kazakhstan will strive to develop necessary mechanisms to prevent or react to natural or man-made emergencies in the field of oil and gas exploration and production.

In a country with many off-shore oil and gas projects in the Caspian Sea, efficient emergency response is paramount. The Caspian Sea – the largest land-locked sea in the world and depository of different natural resources - joins citizens of five countries. The EBRD and the government of Kazakhstan will strive to develop emergency response in situations related to flow control, oil spills and possible fire in off-shore drill oil and gas projects, according to the Memorandum of Understanding. Coordination among Caspian Sea countries will be developed to prevent cross-border incidents.

The EBRD and the government of Kazakhstan will work together on emergency response projects, conferences and documentation, will promote the exchange of information and experience.

"We hope that the Memorandum that was signed today is the first step of a long-term and fruitful cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. I think that now we have to rapidly proceed to implementation of joint projects", said Vladimir Bozhko, Minister of Emergency Situations.

“Our cooperation with the Ministry of Emergency Situations aims to prevent oil spills and other emergencies. The spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding is to enhance regional awareness and streamline regional cooperation in the event of an oil spill emergency in the Caspian Sea”, said Riccardo Puliti, Managing Director Energy and Natural Resources at the EBRD.

Since the beginning of its operations in Kazakhstan, the EBRD has invested over EUR 2.8 billion in over 130 projects in various sectors of the Kazakh economy, mobilising additional investments in excess of about EUR 6 billion.