Galina Chernova, the head of the Globus non-profit organization, reported the detection of an oil spill near the Kashagan oil field in the Caspian Sea. The spill, identified on March 30 by colleagues engaged in space monitoring activities, was observed through imagery captured by the European satellite Sentinel-1A.
Chernova highlighted several potential causes for the oil spill, including accidental leaks during production processes, improper treatment of oily wastewater discharged onshore, or emergencies involving service ships responsible for the spillage. The affected area spans approximately seven square kilometres and is drifting towards the northern region of the Caspian Sea.
In light of these findings, she raised pertinent questions for the North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) regarding the incident's circumstances, accountability, and mitigation efforts. Similarly, inquiries were directed towards the Department of Environment in the Atyrau region to assess their awareness of the situation and evaluate the environmental impact on the affected marine ecosystem and biodiversity.
Chernova's concerns extend beyond the detected oil spill. She referenced a recent public hearing conducted by NCOC in the Damba village on March 29, where assurances were given regarding the absence of air pollution or water contamination resulting from the company's maritime activities. However, Chernova expressed scepticism towards these claims, citing the observed oil spill as evidence to the contrary.
Kashagan stands as one of the largest oil fields discovered in recent decades, having commenced operations in 2016. Foreign investors involved in the project dubbed the Kashagan project "Cash-All-Gone," faced numerous challenges and unexpected costs during implementation.
NCOC, comprising a consortium of international companies, operates the Kashagan oil field. The consortium includes KMG Kashagan, Shell Kazakhstan Development, Total EP Kazakhstan, AgipCaspian Sea, ExxonMobil Kazakhstan, CNPC Kazakhstan, and INPEX North Caspian Sea.
In February 2024, a specialized administrative court in Atyrau imposed a fine of $27.7 mn on NCOC for environmental violations, including burning sulfur dioxide gas and discharging wastewater into the Caspian Sea.
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