ALMATY, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan-based oil producer Tengizchevroil (TCO) on Monday announced a phased resumption of crude oil production at its fields in the Atyrau region in western Kazakhstan following a fire at the Tengiz oil field on Jan. 18, the Kazinform news agency reported.
According to TCO, the production ramp-up will proceed gradually, subject to operating conditions and technical readiness.
Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry said operations have resumed at the Korolev oil field and at the Second Generation Plant (SGP), a TCO facility that stabilizes and sweetens crude oil.
Current crude flows from Korolev to the SGP stand at about 2,500 tonnes per day, with volumes being steadily increased to reach design capacity. Oil production at the Tengiz field is expected to resume in the near future, the ministry said.
On Jan. 18, a fire involving two transformers broke out at the Tengiz oil field. No casualties were reported, but parts of the power distribution system were affected, leading to a suspension of oil output at the Tengiz and Korolev fields.
