**Kazakhstan and Shell Pave Way for Innovative Gas Processing at Kashagan and Karachaganak Fields**
In a strategic move aimed at bolstering Kazakhstan’s gas production and meeting domestic market demands, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy and Shell PLC are actively exploring and advancing plans for new gas processing plants at the Kashagan and Karachaganak fields. These initiatives signify a significant enhancement in the country’s oil and gas sector, promising substantial returns in terms of economic growth and energy security.
### Kashagan Field: A Major Strategic Outpost
The Kashagan field, an offshore oil and gas reserve located in the northern part of the Caspian Sea, is a major focus for Kazakhstan’s gas processing ambitions. Recent discussions between Almasadam Satkaliyev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, and senior officials from Shell’s conventional oil and gas division have centered on the construction of a 2.5 billion cubic meters per year gas processing plant. This facility, part of the 2A expansion phase of the Kashagan field, aims to increase oil and condensate production to around 710,000 barrels per day over the next decade by utilizing raw gas supplied to the planned gas processing plant.
The preliminary front-end engineering and design (FEED) phase for the Kashagan gas plant is currently underway, with project timelines indicating potential operational commissioning by 2029-2030 if approved.
### Karachaganak Field: A Multi-Billion Project
The Karachaganak field, located in north-west Kazakhstan, is another pivotal location for Kazakhstan’s oil and gas endeavors. Shell, alongside its joint venture partner Eni, operates this field through Karachaganak Petroleum Operating BV (KPO). Plans are underway for a 4.5 billion cubic meters per year gas processing plant, estimated to cost $3.2 billion. The project aims to process raw gas and maintain production levels at 10-11 million tonnes per year by installing additional