TCO gradually increasing production at Kazakhstan's Tengiz oil field after suspension in Jan

ASTANA. Feb 17 (Interfax) - Tengizchevroil (TCO), the operator of the Tengiz oil field in Kazakhstan, is gradually increasing production after this was suspended in January following a transformer fire, TCO told Interfax.

"TCO is gradually increasing production as conditions permit," the company said.

The company also confirmed the "safe launch of the power distribution system and the ongoing resumption of oil production."

TCO declined to comment on current oil production volumes.

The Energy Ministry said on January 31 that oil production had resumed at Tengiz following its suspension due to the transformer fire on January 18.

"Production volumes will be increased gradually, as system parameters stabilize and full process safety is ensured," it said at the time.

As reported, on January 18, a transformer caught fire at the Tengiz field. The fire was promptly extinguished, and no one was injured. Media reported that the field operator's production activities continued as normal at that time.

Later, on January 19, Tengizchevroil said it had temporarily suspended oil production at the Tengiz and Korolev fields due to issues with power distribution systems.

The Energy Ministry formed a special commission, which included representatives from the territorial department of the State Energy Supervision and Control Committee, the energy department of the Atyrau region administration, system operator KEGOC, and Tengizchevroil LLP.

On January 26, the operator resumed production at the Korolev field. Energy Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov said production at Korolev reached full capacity on January 28.

The minister also said Kazakhstan lost 900,000 tonnes of oil due to the suspension at Tengiz and Korolev.

Tengiz's oil reserves are at 3.1 billion tonnes. The field is developed by Tengizchevroil JV (TCO), which is owned by Chevron Corp. (50%), ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Ventures Inc. (25%), Kazakhstan through National Company KazMunayGas (20%) and Lukoil (5%). The company has been operating in Kazakhstan since 1993.