KazTransGas Begins to Explore Methane Gas in Kazakhstan's Karagandy Province

Saryarka Social-Entrepreneurial Corporation (SEC) and KazTransGas (KTG) have jointly launched a project for exploration of methane gas in Karaganda coal basin Karagandy Province in Kazakhstan, Tengrinews reported Thursday.

The gas produced will be supplied to Astana, Kazakhstan's capital, the news report said citing a press statement by Karaganda Oblast municipal authority.

Saryarka SEC is the national company promoting economic development of Karaganda Oblast facilitating public-private partnership. KazTransGas JSC is the national gas company responsible for integration and development of gas sector, reliable and safe gas supply to consumers in Kazakhstan.

The two companies signed the agreement to explore for gas in Sherubai-Nurinsky coal deposit on April 5, Tengrinews reported adding that all the obligations related to the execution of the exploration contract are born by the SEC, while the funding for the exploration works is provided by KTG.

According to preliminary data, probable reserves of methane in Sherubai-Nurinsky coal-bearing area equal about 50 billion cubic meters, the report stated.

The exploration works are expected to get over in 2015-2017.