KASHAGAN FIELD
- Latitude: 46.4136
- Longitude: 52.2633
- Caspian Sea
- Offshore Terminal in Kazakhstan
Address: Kazakhstan
The Kashagan Field, located in the northern part of the Caspian Sea, is one of the largest oil fields discovered in recent decades. The offshore terminal associated with the Kashagan Field is a critical infrastructure component, designed to support the extraction, processing, and transportation of hydrocarbons. Here’s a detailed description and specification of the offshore terminal:
Description
The offshore terminal for the Kashagan Field is a complex and high-tech facility tailored to accommodate the unique challenges of operating in the harsh environmental conditions of the Caspian Sea. This area is characterized by extreme temperatures, ice floes in winter, and a sensitive ecological environment.
Key Features:
Artificial Islands: The main facilities are stationed on several artificial islands constructed specifically for drilling and production. These islands provide a stable base for equipment and facilities, mitigating the challenges posed by ice and weather conditions.
Drilling and Production Installations: Advanced drilling rigs and production platforms equipped to handle high-pressure and high-sulfur reservoirs. The installations are designed to withstand the harsh winter conditions and the shifting ice cover.
Processing Facilities: On the offshore terminal and adjacent onshore facilities, hydrocarbons are partially processed. These processes include separation of oil, gas, and water, as well as initial treatment to remove hydrogen sulfide and other impurities.
Pipelines: A network of pipelines is used to transport raw hydrocarbons from offshore platforms to onshore processing facilities. These pipelines are specially designed to cope with the challenges of subsea conditions, including temperature and pressure variations.
Support Infrastructure: Includes living quarters, emergency response centers, helipads, and logistical support for personnel and materials, ensuring the safety and efficiency of operations.
Specifications
Geographical and Environmental Specifications:
- Location: Northern Caspian Sea, approximately 80 km southeast of Atyrau, Kazakhstan.
- Water Depth: Ranges from shallow waters of about 4-8 meters.
- Environmental Conditions: Harsh climate with temperatures ranging from -40 °C in winter to +40 °C in summer, with significant ice cover during winter months.
Technical and Operational Specifications:
- Estimated Reserves: Over 13 billion barrels of oil in place, with recoverable reserves estimated at 9-13 billion barrels.
- Production Capacity: The field's initial production phase targets about 370,000 barrels per day, with potential to increase to 1.5 million barrels per day with full field development.
- Artificial Islands: Multiple artificial islands – D, A, EPC2, and EPC3. Each island serves specific functions, from drilling (D Island) to processing and utilities.
- Advanced Extraction Technologies: Including Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) to maximize reservoir contact and optimize recovery rates.
Safety and Environmental Measures:
- Ice Management: Systems in place for ice monitoring and management, including icebreaking vessels.
- Environmental Monitoring and Protection: Programs to monitor and mitigate environmental impact, including measures to protect the unique Caspian Sea ecosystem.
- Safety Systems: Comprehensive safety systems including blowout preventers (BOP), fire and gas detection systems, and emergency shutdown systems (ESD).
Onshore Support Facilities:
- Processing Plant: Bolashak Onshore Processing Facility near Atyrau, equipped for comprehensive processing of hydrocarbons from offshore installations.
- Export Infrastructure: Pipelines connecting to regional and international export routes, ensuring efficient transportation of processed hydrocarbons.
In summary, the offshore terminal at the Kashagan Field represents a significant engineering achievement designed to exploit one of the world’s largest oil reserves under some of the most challenging environmental conditions. The facility’s design incorporates advanced technology and rigorous safety and environmental standards, reflecting the complex nature of this major industrial endeavor.