Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan – The first snowfall of 2024 arrived later than usual, but the cold winter front continues. As night falls, everything becomes quiet, except for the howling winds sweeping across the steppe. In the KENDYRLIK region of the Chui-Sarysu Basin in Kazakhstan, however, two bright “lighthouses” stand side by side, their lights blazing. Beneath them, the area is filled with activity, the sound of machines roaring and busy figures breaking the silence of the grassland. This is the construction site of two wells in the KNDK area of the Sozak project.

To ensure the drilling quality and geological design objectives of the two key wells, Sozak project organizers have deployed all technical personnel from both China and Kazakhstan to the site for quality control and ongoing evaluation. Based on real-time drilling conditions, they have made timely adjustments to plans and parameters to ensure the project is completed on time, with high quality, and efficiently. Currently, drilling operations for both wells are proceeding in an orderly manner.

The Sozak Production Operations Department adheres to principles of high quality, efficiency, and safety, organizing technical experts from both China and Kazakhstan to monitor the drilling sites closely. They keep track of drilling parameters and operational status, communicating effectively with service engineers to adjust plans according to geological changes and requirements. This ensures that the geological and engineering services align with oil and gas discoveries. From a production and operational perspective, the work is both high-quality and efficient, meeting geological design targets in aspects such as wellbore stability, mud density and viscosity, drilling speed, and more.

The Sozak geological department, working alongside technical experts and the geological director from both China and Kazakhstan, has effectively coordinated with the logging team on site. They have closely monitored changes in lithology and gas shows, comparing geological layers and predicting gas-bearing zones and coring intervals. The team has communicated these observations with the engineering experts, ensuring proper management of high gas measurement zones, mud performance, and core sample collection. The effectiveness of on-site tracking and evaluation has laid a solid foundation for accurate data recording.

Currently, the drilling operations are running smoothly, with both the geological and engineering aspects effectively integrated, and research and production working in close cooperation to ensure steady progress.

The cold weather cannot dampen the enthusiasm and determination of all Sozak project employees and partners. Working together, they are contributing to the success of the KENDYRLIK frontlines. The unwavering “lighthouses” on the steppe will continue to guide the Sozak project to new and significant discoveries, bringing even more surprises to the company!