CERAWEEK-Kazakhstan crude production restored following CPC loading disruption earlier this year, Energy Minister says

HOUSTON, March 24 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan's crude production has been restored following the loading disruption at CPC in December and January, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said on Tuesday at the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston.

The country is "very dependent on the CPC pipeline and it is important to keep it out of sanctions and attacks," Akkenzhenov said.

Kazakhstan's crude output is now 1.7 million bpd plus 400,000 bpd of condensate and natural gas liquids, the minister continued. The country stands to benefit from rising prices amid the Iran conflict as 52% of its budget comes from oil income, and companies operating there could invest more to further raise production, he added.

The OPEC+ member country has started to drill deep wells, with four or five now underway, Akkenzhenov said.