Advancing Kazakhstan’s Mechanical Engineering: IMBC Experts Visit NCOC Production Facilities

IMBC experts visited the production facilities of North Caspian Operating Company N.V. (NCOC), the operator of the North Caspian Project responsible for the development of the Kashagan oil field.

The working visit was organized to familiarize participants with the production infrastructure of the Onshore Processing Facility (OPF).

The program began at the Eskene West site, where participants completed the required site access procedures and were introduced to the company's health, safety, and security requirements.

The next stage of the visit took place at Samal Camp, where NCOC representatives conducted the mandatory safety induction covering work in areas with potential hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) exposure. Participants were also introduced to the management team of the onshore processing complex and attended a presentation on the technological facilities of the Onshore Processing Facility (OPF).

Particular attention was given to the Central Control Building, including the Central Control Room, from which all key production processes across the facility are monitored and controlled around the clock. IMBC representatives gained insight into modern digital control systems, process monitoring technologies, and the safety systems that ensure the reliable operation of the production facilities.

During the site tour, the delegation also visited the OPF's main processing units, including the oil treatment facilities, gas processing facilities, and the Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU). This provided participants with a practical understanding of the hydrocarbon processing chain and the scale of the North Caspian Project's production infrastructure.

Kashagan is one of the world's largest oil and gas discoveries made in recent decades. The field is estimated to contain approximately 35 billion barrels of oil in place, with recoverable reserves of 9–13 billion barrels, making it one of the largest and most technologically complex oil and gas projects in the world.

The Kashagan Project is being developed by an international consortium comprising Eni, Shell, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, CNPC, Inpex, and JSC NC KazMunayGas. The project's scale and technological complexity impose stringent requirements on equipment reliability, material quality, compliance with international industrial safety standards, and the capabilities of suppliers.

The visit enabled IMBC specialists to gain a deeper understanding of how one of the world's most technologically advanced oil and gas projects is operated, while becoming familiar with modern production processes, equipment requirements, and the high industrial safety standards implemented across NCOC facilities.

The knowledge and experience gained during the visit will support IMBC's ongoing efforts to develop Kazakhstan's mechanical engineering industry, prepare domestic manufacturers for cooperation with international oil and gas operators, and promote the localization of high-value technological products.

IMBC expresses its sincere appreciation to NCOC for organizing the visit, fostering an open exchange of experience, and providing the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the operations of the North Caspian Project's production facilities.