Kazakhstan's daily crude oil production at a record high amid Chevron led expansion

Official data show that oil production in Kazakhstan hit a record of 278 499 metric tonnes on Sunday, just a few days after the country began expanding its largest oilfield - Tengiz led by Chevron.

Kazakhstan, which depends on Tengiz, and two other large fields, Karachaganak, and Kashagan for the majority of its production, is subjected to output targets because it's a member of OPEC+. This alliance of OPEC, other top producers, led by Russia, has set out specific output goals.

OPEC+ named Kazakhstan, Iraq and Russia among the top 10 oil producers in the world as having repeatedly failed to adhere to pledges made to reduce oil production.

If a barrels-per-ton ratio of 7.5 was used, Sunday's record Kazakh production would be around 2 million barrels a day.

According to the Situational Analysis Center for Fuel and Energy Complex this is 10.5% higher than the same date in 2024.

Tengiz's expansion is expected to reach its full capacity of 260.000 barrels per day (bpd) by June. This will bring the total production of the project up to 1,000,000 barrels of oil-equivalent per year.

Tengiz has one of the deepest and most complicated fields in the world due to its high sulphur levels and harsh weather conditions.

Kazakhstan is planning to increase its oil and condensate output this year from 87.56 millions tons to 96.2million tons by 2024. Mark Potter is responsible for reporting and editing.

(source: Reuters)