KMG mulls relocation of two villages in Atyrau oblast for $36 million

The Board of KazMunaiGas EP is considering allocation of 5.4 billion tenge ($36 million) to finance relocation of the citizens of Baishonas and Yeskene in Atyrau oblast, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the company’s press-service. “Baishonas and Yeskene fields are located at the territory of the same-name villages. The fields are developed by EmbaMunasGas. The fields are among of the oldest one in the Emba basin, they were discovered 80 years ago. Because of annually decreasing profitability of the fields and impossibility for restoration of the same level of oil production and considering the complicated social-economic conditions, there is a necessity for a decision on suspending the wells and relocation of the villagers to Atyrau, because the majority of villages' residents are employed at the said fields,” the company states. Financing of the project is to be reviewed by KMG EP Board in May 2012. “Based on the actual costs for development of the social infrastructure of Atyrau oblast in the past years (1.31 billion tenge ($8.9 million) in 2010 and 1.26 billion tenge ($8.5 million) in 2011) the company has to allocated 5.4 billion tenge in 2012 on account of its further obligations in 2012-2016,” the message states. By Aidana Usupova