“Mixed picture.” Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry checks on oil spill in the Caspian Sea

According to Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Almasadam Satkaliyev, there is no evidence of any spillage near the Kashagan oil field in the Caspian Sea so far. He also noted that satellite images of a spot on the sea surface might reflect a natural phenomenon.

«Over the years of the Kashagan maritime complex operation, there has not been a single oil spill. This is why we are examining this information. Specialists have reviewed the satellite image. It is a mixed picture. I mean, it might be a natural phenomenon. We are taking water samples from the entire area, and there is no evidence of an oil spill. Of course, our commission is still working, and environmental protection specialists will join this work as well,» Satkaliyev said on the sidelines of the Mazhilis.

Responding to a question by a journalist about why the ministry does not use a helicopter to observe the water area, the minister said that the local Department of Environment is examining the area with the help of maritime transport to take samples and would use a helicopter if needed.

On April 2, Galina Chernova, head of the Globus non-profit organization, reported that her colleagues involved in space monitoring noticed oil spillage near the Kashagan oil field in the Caspian Sea on March 30. In her Facebook post, she demanded that NCOC and the Department for Environment of the Atyrau region comment on what happened at the company’s maritime complex.

Later, NCOC denied oil spillage in the Caspian Sea, as the company checked the area and found no signs of spillage. Currently, all NCOC maritime facilities are operating as usual.

The local environmental authorities of the Atyrau region have also reacted to the publication. They said they would observe the water area and take water samples. If the spill is confirmed, they will inspect NCOC facilities urgently.

In February 2024, the specialized administrative court in Atyrau fined NCOC $27.7 million for burning sulfur dioxide gas and discharging wastewater into the Caspian Sea.

The context. Kashagan is one of the biggest oil fields in the world discovered over the past few decades. It’s been operational since 2016. Foreign investors faced many difficulties and unexpected expenditures during the project’s implementation. They even dubbed the Kashagan project Cash-All-Gone.

The North Caspian Operating Company is Kashagan’s operator. The consortium consists of KMG Kashagan B.V. (16.877%), Shell Kazakhstan Development B.V. (16.807%), Total EP Kazakhstan (16.807%), Agip Caspian Sea B.V. (16.807%), ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc. (16.807%), CNPC Kazakhstan B.V. (8.333%) and INPEX North Caspian Sea Ltd. (7.563%).

In September 2023, the government said it was expecting a sixfold increase in oil output on Kashagan. The projection was made against the backdrop of claims to investors.