Kazakhstan cuts Karachaganak output after Ukraine strikes Russian plant

Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov announced on Friday that his country has slashed daily output at the Karachaganak oil and gas field after Ukraine launched a long-range drone strike against a Russian processing plant that receives hydrocarbons from the sprawling facility.

Output Reduction

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a joint parliamentary session, Akkenzhenov said authorities were “forced” to cut crude production from 34,000 to 25,000 tons per day. “This reduction amounts to 9,000 tons. Naturally, our gas intake has now been reduced,” he said, according to the Kazinform news agency.

Cross-Border Attack

The minister’s remarks came two days after Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed striking a gas processing plant in Russia’s Orenburg region, located more than 1,200 kilometers from the front line. Orenburg Governor Yevgeny Solntsev reported that a “massive” drone attack targeted the region on Wednesday, though he did not specify the facility involved.

Supply Stability

Despite the production cut at Karachaganak, Akkenzhenov emphasized that gas supplies throughout Kazakhstan have not been disrupted. Energy Ministry spokesperson Asel Serikpaeva echoed this assurance on Thursday, stating the incident had no impact on domestic consumers. The Orenburg facility was previously targeted in a Ukrainian drone strike last October.