ANALYSIS OF EXPORT DIRECTIONS OF KASHAGAN OIL TRANSPORTATION

Abstract

Kazakhstan is actively seeking to become a leading energy player in the region. Exploration of the Kashagan field has made it the largest new source of energy in the Caspian Basin, attracting significant foreign interest. The Kashagan field has attracted investments of around $55 billion, and the Kazakh government, together with its foreign partners, is looking forward to its successful future. In 2020, Kazakhstan's oil and condensate production was 58.3 million tonnes, of which 10.4 million tonnes were produced from Kashagan. Production is expected to grow further as new infrastructure projects are completed.

This article discusses the issue of prospective oil and gas fields in Kazakhstan, specifically the development of the Kashagan field. In Kazakhstan, the Kashagan field has caused a number of problems in the design of hydrocarbon transport. In discussing the possible alternative routes available to the Government of Kazakhstan to complement the Russian oil pipeline network, we will look at the most likely scenario of which pipeline will be used to bring oil to market. This article will thus contribute to the discussion on which export routes will be chosen for the energy development of the Caspian Basin.