Kazakhstan Discovers "Second Kashagan": Jelovoyi Deposit Has Resource Potential of 4.7 Billion Tons
According to Kazakh International News Agency, a massive carbonate rock block with resource potential comparable to the Kashagan oilfield has been discovered within Kazakhstan. At the GECA 2026 International Geological Forum held in Astana on April 2, Kassym-Zhoma Kulyashev, Deputy Chairman of the National Company KazMunayGas (KMG), disclosed this information.
As stated by Kulyashev, current geological exploration efforts are primarily focused on the Jelovoyi carbonate platform, which spans the Karatun, Kazhary, and Jelovoyi blocks.
"The newly discovered Karatun, Kazhary, and Jelovoyi carbonate blocks are structurally highly similar to the Kashagan oilfield. The resource potential of this formation reaches 4.7 billion tons (oil and gas equivalent), matching the geological potential of the Kashagan field. However, since the Kashagan field lies in shallow offshore waters requiring extremely high capital expenditure, this newly discovered deposit located on land means significantly reduced development costs," said Kulyashev.
Estimated total resource potential of the Jelovoyi carbonate deposit amounts to 2 billion tons of standard fuel equivalent.
Currently, drilling of one exploration well at the Karatun block has been completed, reaching a depth of 5,750 meters, yielding positive interim results, with five promising targets now identified for development.
Kulyashev noted that based on the successful experience gained from the Karatun block, the company plans to extend geological exploration activities to the Kazhary block. Negotiations regarding contracts for underground resource utilization in this block are currently underway.
It is reported that this new project will not affect existing production-sharing agreements. The project will operate as an independent venture and will be developed jointly with other partners, including Russia’s Tatarstan Oil Company.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861427169529868/
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