Officials inaugurated the Aral oil storage and rail loading terminal in western Kazakhstan owned 50-50 by Tethys Petroleum Ltd. and its Kazakh oil trading partner’s company, Olisol Investment Ltd.
First commercial shipments are expected in February 2012. The opening will enable Tethys to double production from Doris field to 4,000 b/d of oil by reducing truck hauling.
Wells in and near Doris field have tested at a combined rate of more than 13,000 b/d, and the partners plan to expand the rail terminal to 12,000 b/d within a year.
The Aral terminal will also provide a closer offloading point for refined oil products, equipment, and materials required at Doris, greatly lowering costs.