Mangyshlak Oil and Gas Region

located in the southern part of western Kazakhstan on the Mangyshlak Peninsula. Structurally, the region is confined to the asymmetrical luzhnyi Mangyshlak basin of the northwestern strike, which is filled with Mesozoic and Cenozoic deposits (up to 7,000 m thick) gathered in gentle folds. In the basin and the territory adjacent to it there are more than 90 local structures that are promising gas-bearing sites. The Jurassic, primarily oil-bearing series, which is 1,200-1,400 m thick, contains more than 16 producing horizons. The Cretaceous, primarily gas-bearing series, which is 1,000 m thick, contains 12 producing horizons.

More than 12 oil and gas deposits have been developed in the Mangyshlak oil and gas region. The industrial oil- and gas-bearing capacity of the region was established in 1961 with the discovery of the two largest oil and gas deposits—Uzen’ and Zhetybai. The oil lies 1.2-2.4 km below the surface. In late 1970 oil production totaled approximately 3 million tons, and in 1971, approximately 10 million tons.