Kazakhstan removes energy minister as OPEC+ oil output tensions rise

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, Almasadam Satkaliyev, will resign from his position, as announced by the country’s presidential office on Tuesday, according to a Reuters report.

This move comes amid the government’s ongoing struggle to persuade the US and European oil companies to decrease their production levels, which currently surpass the targets set by the OPEC+ agreement.

Kazakhstan’s presidential office announced on Tuesday that Almasadam Satkaliyev will lead the country’s newly established atomic energy agency.

A successor for Satkaliyev as the head of the energy ministry has not yet been named.

Kazakhstan’s energy ministry was under Satkaliyev’s leadership since April 2023.

The resignation highlights the challenges faced by Kazakhstan in balancing its energy production with international agreements and the interests of foreign oil companies operating within its borders. 

Challenges to align oil output with OPEC quota

The government’s efforts to curb excessive production and align with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies’ targets have been met with resistance, potentially straining relationships with key players in the global oil industry.

This development could have implications for Kazakhstan’s energy sector and its standing within the OPEC+ alliance. 

The incoming energy minister will likely face the immediate challenge of navigating these complex negotiations and finding a solution that satisfies both domestic and international concerns.

OPEC earlier said Kazakhstan had played a major role in the increase in oil output by the cartel in February. This surge in production can be attributed to Kazakhstan’s significant contribution.

The central Asian OPEC member produced 1.767 million barrels per day of crude oil, marking a notable rise from the 1.570 million barrels per day produced in January, according to data from the cartel.

This February output also exceeded Kazakhstan’s OPEC+ quota, which stands at 1.468 million barrels per day. 

This surge in production contributes to the overall oil supply in the global market and could impact oil prices, especially considering the ongoing efforts by OPEC+ to manage production levels and stabilise the market.

Discussions with oil majors

Last week, Satkaliyev travelled to the US for talks with oil majors Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, Eni and Honeywell, all of which operate in Kazakhstan.

Satkaliyev revealed that the country engaged in discussions with the above countries centered around curtailing oil production. 

The specifics of these discussions, including any potential agreements or decisions reached, have not been publicly disclosed by the Kazakh Energy Ministry. 

It remains to be seen what concrete steps Kazakhstan will take to adjust its oil output and how these actions will impact the broader oil market, especially within the context of the OPEC+ framework.

The Ministry attributed the production increase to the expansion of the Tengiz oil field, a project primarily spearheaded by Chevron. 

In response to concerns about exceeding production quotas, the Ministry pledged to improve its adherence to the agreed-upon limits in the future.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is currently devoid of nuclear power plants. However, it possesses a significant wealth in its vast uranium reserves. 

These reserves are estimated to constitute approximately 15% of the global total, positioning Kazakhstan as the second-largest holder of uranium reserves in the world, trailing only Australia.

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