Discussions of technological solutions for Kashagan Field start in Kazakhstan

The North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) has started discussing technological solutions for safe oil extraction at the Kashagan Field in Kazakhstan.

The gas leakage was caused by sulphide cracking of the pipeline. Specialists are studying the causes of the cracking. No hydrates causing sulphide cracking have been seen at Kashagan yet.

Experts will publish the results of their tests in early 2014. According to analysis, the pipes used at Kashagan met the standards of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE), ISO and world exploitation norms.

Oil extraction at Kashagan started on September 11, 2013. Exploitation of the field was halted on September 24 after leakage of gas on a pipeline from D Island and Bolashak. Extraction was resumed, only to be stopped on October 9 after another leakage. New leakages were found.