NIKKEI ASIAN REVIEW - Annual gas exports from Kazakhstan to China are set to double in 2019, as Beijing moves to cushion the impact of its trade war with the U.S.

PLATTS - Kazakhstan plans to produce a total of 21,600 mt of uranium in 2018, a decrease of almost 20% compared with the previously forecast 27,000 mt, Riaz Rizvi, Kazatomprom's chief commercial officer said.

PLATTS - Oil production at Kazakhstan's giant Kashagan field could be as high as 470,000 b/d under its first development phase, the head of the consortium overseeing the field, Brune Jardin, has said, while also noting plans for a big maintenance shutdown, and for development of nearby fields with China's CMOC.

PLATTS - Kazakhstan's giant Kashagan oil field is achieving new production highs everymonth and has done better than 300,000 b/d, but development beyond the currentphase is likely to be about "discretionary step-ups" rather than giant steps,Shell country chair and vice president Olivier Lazare said Thursday.

PLATTS - Japan is keen to back oil investments in the Caspian states of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan as it tries to reduce its reliance on Middle Eastern countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE and to a lesser extent Iran, Japanese officials said

Kazakhstan has for the first time shipped Kashagan crude in the form of Siberian Light blend from the Russian port of Novorossiisk, the Kazakh state pipeline company has said, amid a surge in Siberian Light exports.

The project has been plagued by multiple delays and cost overruns. A 2008 budget estimate of $38 billion jumped to $53 billion by the end of last year as the partners replaced undersea links after sour gas cracked the pipes.

The Russian government has issued the license for the Central Oil and Gas Company – a joint venture between Lukoil (25%), Gazprom (25%) and Kazakhstan’s KazMunaiGaz (50% ) – to develop the Central field.

Two projects worth $45 billion announced this month show the world’s largest oil companies are regaining the confidence to make big investments, emboldened by rising crude prices and low costs that promise to trigger more expansion ahead.

"The Future Growth and Wellhead Pressure Management Project represents an excellent opportunity for the company," said Chevron Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Watson. "The project builds on a record of strong performance at Tengiz and will add value for Chevron and its stockholders."