World Monitor Magazine WM_KIOGE 2018_Web | Page 13

DESTINATION KAZAKHSTAN The productive strata of the Kashagan field lie at a depth of 4,200 meters below the surface of the seabed and are under high pressure. The deposit contains light oil with a high content of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Complex tasks in the development of Kashagan are due to harsh production conditions that require a greater set of security measures and invest- ment costs in order to successfully manage risks. At the confluence of the rivers of the Volga and the Urals, the northern part of the Caspian Sea and the en- vironment are characterized by a rich and diverse flora and fauna. Here you can meet 60% of rare species of inhabitants of the Caspian Sea. In addition to sturgeon, which is considered to be the most valuable commercial species found in the Caspian, the Caspian Sea is also a habitat for Caspian seals, and the coastal wetland areas attract many species of birds, including those listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Through the Caspian Sea is also the main route of migration of birds from Asia to Siberia. The preservation of this sensitive environment of the Northern Caspian and the maximum reduction of impacts from ongoing work are the main tasks in the development of oil and gas fields in this region. "This project has become one of the largest and most important for the oil and gas industry in Kazakhstan. At the dawn of independence, for the young state, the development of the largest Kashagan field on the Caspian shelf has become a special event. Realization of the project allows us to attract foreign investments, new technologies, and world experience in the development of the most complex offshore fields to Kazakhstan. This is a great service for all who take part in this project. I hope that this work will further benefit the country's economy and energy security." − Nursultan Nazarbayev. supported by EUROBAK 11