Shell - is the favorite of the tender on mastering of the "Nursultan" block in Kazakhstan

/REUTERS, Astana, November 28, 06/ - The government of Kazakhstan can determine till the end of year the winner of tender on mastering of oil block "Nursultan" on the shelf of Caspian sea, the favorite of the tender is company Royal Dutch/Shell, had informed to the journalists the minister of energy of the country Baktykozha Izmukhambetov. "I think that at the nearest time, and may be before the new year will be accepted the decision on this project, - most of all, the preference will be (given) to Shell". By the words of minister, except Shell to this structure had claimed the company ConocoPhillips. Kazakhstan company Kazmunaygas, to which the legislation is giving 50% form all new projects on the shelf, is estimating the potential reserves of the block "Nursultan" at 349 million tons of hydrocarbons. The block is situated in the Southern part of Kazakhstan part of Caspian sea, and in the direct nearness from it the Kazakhstan powers are planning to build the new sea port Kuryk. [2006-11-28]