Air Quality

As a result of improved working practices KPO’s air emissions to the environment have been significantly reduced.

State-of-the-art emissions control technology is incorporated in Karachaganak to further minimise the impact on the environment. A flaring reduction strategy is underway which incorporates “Green” burners to eliminate smoke and particulates from well tests. The installation of additional flash gas compressors at processing facility Unit 3 has also reduced the need for routine flaring.

The quality of air within and around the Karachaganak field is monitored daily by various parties. An independent contractor, Gidromet LTD, monitors the quality of ambient air by taking samples several times a day and analyses about 110,000 samples of atmosphere annually. In addition, KPO sends its own mobile monitoring units to conduct regular air samples.

The results of the analysis provide evidence that the concentration of the main pollutants in air above the field and adjacent areas do not reach the maximum permissible level.

Super Green Burner Programme

KPO began using the Super Green Burner in 1998 to reduce emissions from flaring conducted at the wells. The Super Green Burner uses injected air to ensure the complete combustion of the flared hydrocarbons.

The complete combustion significantly reduces carbon monoxide and soot emissions. The Super Green Burner has been modified to allow flaring where water is part of the liquid being flared. This modification provides for the increased use of the Super Green Burner, further reducing emissions of carbon monoxide and soot.

Well Flaring

When the previous operator originally developed the Karachaganak field, many wells were tied to the same flow line. This meant that an individual well could not be tested resulting in excessive flaring. As part of the Measurement Production Logging Testing Campaign (MPLT), KPO is placing wells on individual flow lines so that each well can be tested. This reduces the amount of flaring required. Because of this programme, many MPLTs were accomplished without the need for flaring, resulting in a reduction in MPLT-related flaring.

Gas Re-Injection

40% of the associated gas is re-injected at Unit 2. The remaining 60% undergoes processing at the sulphur separation plant, where hydrogen sulphide and other harmful admixtures are extracted from the highly sulphurous gas. During this process, fuel gas is produced, which is then used for the needs of the field and local community.