Tengizchevroil pays penalty for gas flaring

Environment prosecutor office in Atyrau oblast has imposed a fine of $11.5 million on Tengizchevroil, the General Prosecutor’s Office reports on its website. According to the website, Tengizchevroil inflicted damage on the environment “through unauthorized gas flaring”. The penalty amount has been paid to the state budget. Tengizchevroil is a Kazakhstan partnership that explores, develops, produces and markets crude oil, gas and sulfur. The Tengiz field in Western Kazakhstan was discovered in 1979 and now is one of the world's deepest producing super giant fields. In April 1993, Tengizchevroil LLP was formed between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chevron Corporation. Current partners are: Chevron, 50 percent, KazMunaiGas, 20 percent; ExxonMobil, 25 percent and LukArco, 5 percent. Oil production output at Tengiz in 2010 made up 26 million tons. The 2010 overall oil production output in Kazakhstan totaled 80 million tons, 4.2% up against 2009.