OREANDA-NEWS. On April 20, 2009 KazMunaiGas Exploration Production (Astana), shares of which are listed on Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE), provided KASE with a press release, reported the press-centre of KASE:

JSC KazMunaiGas Exploration Production ("KMG EP" or "the Company"), announced today that in the first three months of 2009 it produced 2,743 thousand tonnes of crude oil (224.0 kbopd), which includes the Company's stakes in both JV Kazgermunai LLP ("Kazgermunai") and CCEL ("Karazhanbasmunai"). This is 150 thousand tonnes, or 5.2%, less than in 2008.

In 1Q09, 2 126 thousand tonnes of oil (173.7kbopd) were produced at production facilities of Ozenmunaigas and Embamunaigas. This is 178 thousand tonnes, or 7.7%, less than for the same period last year.

The decrease in production by 3.8% was forecast in the Company's budget for 2009. The volume of production at Uzen and Emba was planned at 9 141 million tonnes (184.32kbopd). The drop below the planned level can be explained by tough weather conditions in Western Kazakhstan in January 2009. This was partially compensated by the growth of production in February and March, and also by the improved operational results at Kazgermunai and CCEL compared to the same period of last year. In 2009 at Kazgermunai  it is planned to produce 3.18 million tonnes (67kbopd) and at CCEL - 1.8 million tonnes (33kbopd). KMG EP owns 50% stake in both companies.

According to preliminary data, in the first three months of 2009 the Company supplied 2128 thousand tonnes of crude oil to customers (174.0 kbopd), excluding the share in supply from Kazgermunai and Karazhanbasmunai. Of this amount, 1,781 thousand tonnes (145.6 kbopd) were exported.

The Company's share in the sales volumes from Kazgermunai and CCEL was 594 thousand tonnes of crude oil (48.4kbopd) in the first three months of 2009, including 550 thousand tonnes (44.7kbopd) supplied to export markets. This represents a 9% and 17.7% increase compared to the same period of 2008, respectively.