North Buzachi oil field
About Severo-Buzachi
Buzachi Operating Ltd. is a joint venture oil and gas company operating the North Buzachi oil field on Kazakhstan’s Buzachi Peninsula. Formed in 2004, it is equally owned by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Sinopec. The North Buzachi field, discovered in 1975, contains heavy, high-sulfur crude oil located 300–550 meters below the surface. This shallow depth facilitates cost-effective directional drilling and water-flooding programs. Production peaked in 2012 at approximately 40,000 barrels per day and currently averages around 20,000 barrels per day, accounting for about 1% of Kazakhstan’s daily oil output. As of 2021, the field had an estimated 50 million barrels of remaining recoverable reserves, supporting operations projected until at least 2054.
Operations & Sustainability
Crude oil from the field is transported via heated pipelines to the port city of Aktau, where it enters the Caspian export system. Associated gas is partially reinjected into the reservoir and partially sold for regional power generation. While Buzachi Operating Ltd. does not own refining facilities, it markets untreated crude and a wide range of petroleum and gas products under long-term contracts to both domestic and international processors. These include crude petroleum, natural gas liquids (NGLs), diesel fuel, gasoline, jet fuel (kerosene), fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), bitumen (asphalt), petroleum coke, and lubricants—representing some of the most highly sought-after oil and gas commodities exported from Kazakhstan. The company employs approximately 900 staff, primarily from local communities, and invests in vocational training, road repairs, and health clinics through a voluntary social investment plan. Environmental management is guided by ISO 14001-certified procedures. In January 2025, the company was fined for excessive gas flaring, leading to the installation of advanced vapor-recovery units. Waste materials, including drill cuttings and oil sludge, are managed under long-term contracts with licensed recyclers. Buzachi Operating Ltd. continues to implement enhanced oil recovery techniques, such as polymer flooding and digital well surveillance, to extend the field's productive life while reducing its carbon footprint. The company's board meets quarterly in Aktau to review performance and strategic planning. In early 2025, Buzachi Operating Ltd. undertook significant infrastructure enhancements to bolster its operational efficiency. The company initiated the installation of large-capacity oil storage tanks and developed a central oil transfer point. These projects aim to streamline logistics and accommodate future production increases. Simultaneously, the company expanded its digital monitoring systems to optimize production processes and minimize environmental impact. These advancements reflect Buzachi Operating Ltd.'s commitment to integrating technology for sustainable operations. The company's board continues to convene quarterly in Aktau, focusing on strategic planning to ensure long-term growth and operational excellence.