Launch of commercial production at Central Urikhtau field scheduled for 2026 – KMGThe launch of commercial production at the Central Urikhtau field is scheduled for 2026, the press service of the national company KazMunayGas (KMG) reported.According to the press service, during a working trip to the Aktobe region on Wednesday, KMG CEO Askat Khasenov held a production meeting on the activities of Urikhtau Operating LLP."...work is underway to test two gas wells at the Central Urikhtau field to determine the physicochemical properties and composition of the gas for making further technological decisions within the framework of cooperation with CNPC-Aktobemunaigas JSC. Additionally, the development of five oil wells is planned. The launch of commercial production at the Central Urikhtau field is scheduled for 2026, with a gradual annual increase in gas production to a potential capacity of 1 billion cubic meters per year," stated a message released following the meeting.According to KMG, over the first five months of 2025, the company produced 38,200 tonnes of oil, exceeding the plan by 9%, while gas production amounted to 32.1 million m³ against a plan of 22.6 million m³, representing a 42% increase. Forecast production for the current year is up to 94,000 tonnes of oil and 78 million m³ of gas.In 2025, drilling of two production wells at the Eastern Urikhtau field is planned for completion, which will increase oil and gas production volumes.Following the meeting, the head of KMG instructed the acceleration of all planned activities for the Urikhtau field, particularly emphasizing its role in developing the gas industry and its social significance for the Aktobe region and other regions of the republic.Earlier, the KMG press service reported that the Zhanazhol Gas Processing Plant will start receiving raw gas from the Urikhtau field in Q4 2026. This became known after a meeting between KMG CEO Askat Khasenov and Zhang Daowei, Vice President of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).In July 2024, KMG and CNPC signed a framework agreement on deepening strategic cooperation in the oil and gas industry on the sidelines of the 7th meeting of the Kazakhstan-China Business Council. This agreement includes exploring the possibility of processing hydrocarbons from the Central Urikhtau field at the Zhanazhol oil and gas processing complex.On June 16, 2025, the operator of the Urikhtau field, Urikhtau Operating LLP (a 100% subsidiary of KMG), and CNPC signed an agreement to deepen cooperation on the Urikhtau project, agreeing to process the produced gas at the Zhanazhol GPP. Preliminary investment in the project is estimated at $138 million.Annual gas production at the Central Urikhtau field is planned at approximately 1 billion cubic meters.CNPC-Aktobemunaigas is the largest oil-producing company in the Aktobe region, developing the Zhanazhol, Kenkiyak suprasalt, Kenkiyak subsalt, and Severnaya Truva fields. Three gas processing plants have been built based on CNPC-Aktobemunaigas. The ultimate owner is China's CNPC.KazMunayGas (KMG): Kazakhstan's national operator for the exploration, production, processing, and transportation of hydrocarbons, representing the state's interests in the oil and gas sector. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX