Kazakhstan's credibility (almost) restored
After repeated mishaps, Kashagan's restart could do wonders for the local energy industry's image
The relaunch of Kashagan, the second-largest field in the world with recoverable reserves estimated at 11bn barrels, should help restore some credibility to Kazakhstan's battered oil and gas sector. Oil from the field is flowing again - it even restarted before a 23 October deadline - three years after production was suspended because of technical problems with the pipelines. Output reached 90,000 barrels a day on 12 October, more than the volume it needs to produce to stay in the black. The central Asian state, which holds the world's eleventh largest oil reserves, has been whipsawed this year by low oil prices, violent insurgencies and an alleged coup attempt. But investors are returning a
Also in this section
16 April 2026
Demand for oil is falling because supply cannot meet it, not because it is no longer required
16 April 2026
The continent has an immediate opportunity to make the most of its energy resources by capturing gas that is currently slipping away
15 April 2026
The continent is seeing political pushback to climate plans, corporate reassessment of transition goals and rising supply risk in a fractured global order
15 April 2026
The Middle East energy crisis may turn out to be pivotal to the industry’s long-term expansion, but significant challenges still stand in its way
