Aktobemunaigas OJSC (Kazakhstan) suspended oil mining on 83 wells

/IRBIS, Feb 05, 01/ - KHABAR informed that Kazakhstan joint-stock company had suspended operations of 83 oil wells of Zhana Zhol deposit on Thursday evening. The company informed that main cause for suspension had been a refusal to accept Kazakhstan oil made by Orsk refinery. This unexpected move created a deadlock situation for managers as Aktobemunaigas supplies 80% of produced oil to the refinery. Nowadays, the region consumes mixed gas, first from Turkmenistan supplied by Intergas Central Asia and, and the second regional production of Aktobemunaigas. In summer times regional production allows to cover consumption, while in winter the region consumes the mixture of two types of gas. The present suspension creates critical situation for population. Despite unchanged situation on Zhana-hol gas processing facility, which still produces 2 mln cubic meters of gas daily, the regional governor announced the state of emergency in two districts: Mugalzhar and Temir. The special commission created to resolve the crisis would have to develop special stabilization plan by Feb.06. All emergency services were put on alarm. Yesterday, the regional governing body reported that gas reserves amounted for 5 months of consumption. In case of emergency, the three district could be shifted on natural gas, which is two times higher than regional one. The local authorities have had negotiations with involving Aktobe-Beijing- Moscow-Astan axis. On Feb.03, there were no major progress in negotiations between the refinery and its supplier. Another 267 oil-tanks were prepared to keep production unchanged till February 05. The situation could turn into disaster if the crisis would not be resolved in next two days.