Kazakhstan asks for a delay in maintenance of the giant Kashagan Oilfield.

Trading sources familiar with the matter claim that Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry has asked shareholders to delay next year's maintenance, which was scheduled to start at the site on October 1st.

Two sources claim that the ministry requested a delay in a letter sent to the partners of the North Caspian Operating Company consortium (NCOC), which operates Kashagan. The letter cited the fear of natural gas shortages during the winter season as the main reason.

They added that a decision is expected on September 10.

In October, the field that produces 400,000 barrels of oil per day was to be closed for 28 days to perform maintenance.

The Kazakh Ministry of Energy did not respond immediately to a comment request.

NCOC announced that Kashagan maintenance was planned and that it would be announced via its website.

Eni, Shell, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil. KazMunayGas. Inpex. CNPC are all developing the offshore Kashagan gas field. (Reporting and editing by Alex Richardson, Ahmad Ghaddar, Mariya Gordeyeva)

(source: Reuters)