LUKOIL is experiencing difficulties in delivering cargo to Kazakhstan due to the shallowing of the Caspian Sea. And in this regard, the Russian company, together with the Kazakh company KazMunaiGas (KMG), plans to build a sea canal in the Caspian Sea to provide access to the Kalamkas-Sea and Khazar fields. This is stated in the environmental impact assessment report for the project.
The Kalamkas-Khazar Operating joint venture (a partnership between KazMunaiGas and Lukoil) plans to build a marine shipping channel in the Caspian Sea to ensure the transportation of oil platforms and equipment to the Kalamkas field. Construction is scheduled for the period 2026-2029.
The development area is located in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea, approximately 120 km southwest of the Kashagan field. Kalamkas-Sea was discovered in 2002, and the Khazar field in 2007. In 2023, LUKOIL and KazMunayGas signed a number of agreements, including the purchase of a 50% stake in Kalamkas-Khazar Operating LLP and an agreement to finance the activities of the project operator.
The project involves the extraction of oil and associated gas from offshore platforms, with subsequent support of offshore operations using specialized vessels that deliver equipment, personnel, fuel and other necessary materials. They are also responsible for the removal of waste and wastewater to coastal bases.
The drop in the Caspian Sea level and shallowing in the Ural Saddle region necessitated the construction of a shipping canal to ensure unimpeded passage of ships to the fields.
Two options for laying a canal through the Ural Saddle are being considered: the main route, about 91 km long, coinciding with the Gurevsky fairway (associated with restrictions, since it is an active navigation route, and an alternative – 75 km, bypassing the habitat of Caspian seals – north of the Caspian Itbalyty seal reserve. The project is caused by the decrease in the level of the Caspian Sea, which complicates access to the deposit, located in the territorial waters of Kazakhstan.
The deepening work is planned to be carried out annually during the navigation period from April to November in 2026–2029.
After the delivery of the platforms, the channel is planned to be closed, as its further use is not envisaged.
Commercial oil production at Kalamkas Sea and Khazar is scheduled for 2028-2029. Total reserves are estimated at 48.5 million tons of oil and 19 billion cubic meters of gas, with planned production volume of about 4 million tons of oil per year (approximately 80 thousand barrels per day).
The decision to develop the large Kalamkas-Sea and Khazar fields was made against the backdrop of the gradual depletion of Kazakhstan’s existing oil fields and the expected reduction in oil production by 2030. These fields are the only ones in the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea with confirmed reserves entered on the balance sheet.
The Kalamkas-Sea field is located in the central part of the North-Eastern Caspian Sea. The Khazar field is 30 km southwest of the Kalamkas-Sea cape and 65 km northwest of the Buzachi Peninsula.
The minimum production period is five years. Total investment in the project, according to preliminary estimates, will be about $6.4 billion. The final investment decision is expected in 2025.
