OREANDA-NEWS. December 17, 2012. As part of his working tour of Atyrau Region Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov has paid a ‘familiarization’ visit to Kashagan onshore and offshore facilities. The Prime Minister’s visit took place. He was accompanied by Minister of Oil and Gas Sauat Mynbayev, Samruk-Kazyna Chairman Umurzak Shukeev, Senator Sarsenbai Ensengenov and Akim of Atyrau Region Baktykozha Izmukhambetov. The Prime Minister was met by NCOC Chairman/Managing Director Pierre Offant and Agip KCO Managing Director Umberto Carrara.

In the morning the Prime Minister was taken by helicopter to the offshore production hub on D-island to view first-hand the enormous progress that has been made towards the start of production next year. He continued his visit with the Bolashak onshore processing facility, and was impressed by the highly sophisticated central control room - the heart of the plant. Onshore Production Superintendent Alibek Tasimov, explained to the Prime Minister the functions of each group of control panels in processing the peak production of 370 barrels of oil per day.

Speaking to journalists at Karabatan after the visit, Mr. Offant said that the project is nearing completion and is scheduled to achieve stable commercial production by the middle of next year. According to Mr. Offant, the complexity and size of the facilities will require a rather sophisticated ramp up process, therefore stable production is expected to be achieved few months after the initial start up. Throughout the ramp up process safety will remain our top priority.

Asked about future plans, Mr. Offant said that the Consortium is discussing with the government next steps in the development of North Caspian fields. In particular, he emphasized an increase in production from Kashagan to 450,000 barrels per day, and the development of the Kalamkas field in southwest Caspian.

“We are expecting that the decision will be adopted at the end of next year or early 2014. Now we are working on the field development concept, and next year we are confident to enter the design phase,” he continued.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Kashagan triggered major media interest resulting in broad and factual coverage from about 20 different media outlets.