Caspian production sharing

A Production Sharing Agreement has been negotiated between six western oil companies and the government of Kazakhstan in order to facilitate the exploitation of offshore oil reserves in the Caspian Sea. The joint project faces environmental, logistical and operational problems which are touched on briefly in the feasibility study jointly funded by the United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry and the United States Department of Commerce. Pipeline installation plans and the location and operation of supply bases are described. The report notes that property trained personnel will be needed and that appropriate training should be included in the overall development scheme. (UK)