Kazakhstan's credibility (almost) restored

After repeated mishaps, Kashagan's restart could do wonders for the local energy industry's image

The relaunch of Kashagan, the second-largest field in the world with recoverable reserves estimated at 11bn barrels, should help restore some credibility to Kazakhstan's battered oil and gas sector. Oil from the field is flowing again - it even restarted before a 23 October deadline - three years after production was suspended because of technical problems with the pipelines. Output reached 90,000 barrels a day on 12 October, more than the volume it needs to produce to stay in the black. The central Asian state, which holds the world's eleventh largest oil reserves, has been whipsawed this year by low oil prices, violent insurgencies and an alleged coup attempt. But investors are returning a