The initial expansion of 90,000 barrels per day brings Tengizchevroil’s current capacity to a total of approximately 400,000 barrels per day. The addition of full facilities is projected to further increase daily crude production capacity at Tengiz to 540,000 barrels. Startup of full facilities is expected during the second half of 2008.
The startup includes the Sour Gas Injection (SGI) project and the front end of the Second Generation Plant (SGP). Chevron said that SGI reinjects produced sour gas into the reservoir at very high pressures to boost production.
Chevron noted that the SGP was brought up to about one-third of its full capacity and is separating the natural gas for injection while also stabilizing and sweetening the crude oil. Once fully operational, SGP is designed to also process sour gas into gas products and elemental sulfur.
Chevron has a 50% interest in Tengizchevroil. Other partners in the development are KazMunaiGas with 20%, ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Ventures with 25%, and LukArco with a 5% stake.
Jay Johnson, managing director of Chevron’s Eurasia business unit, said: This multibillion-dollar SGI-SGP expansion of the world’s deepest producing supergiant oil field is another step forward in partnering with Kazakhstan to develop the full potential of the country’s vast energy resources.
