ASTANA - Oil and gas production in Kazakhstan in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by almost 20% compared to the same period last year. This was announced by Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov at a government meeting, Kazinform reports.
According to him, oil and gas condensate production amounted to 19.7 million tons (80.2% of 2025 levels), while exports totaled 15.3 million tons (78.5%). Gas production reached 13.6 billion cubic meters (84.9%), and marketable gas production reached 6.1 billion cubic meters (83.6%). Domestic gas consumption increased to 8.8 billion cubic meters (+8.6%), reflecting growing demand from industry and the population. Oil product production remained stable at 3.67 million tons.
The department attributes the decline in production figures to scheduled maintenance work at major fields, including Karachaganak, where a project to install an additional compressor to maintain production is underway. External factors, such as fluctuations in global prices and commitments under production cap agreements, are also having an impact.
Against this backdrop, the government is negotiating with subsoil users on measures to increase production. At the same time, a program for developing new promising fields through 2035 is being implemented in conjunction with Samruk-Kazyna.
One of the key projects remains the construction of a gas processing plant at Kashagan with a capacity of 1 billion cubic meters per year, expected to be completed by the end of the year. Authorities hope that infrastructure modernization and the launch of new capacity will stabilize production and strengthen Kazakhstan's position in the global energy market.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
April 14, 2026