Kazakhstan oil output rises 2% in March as Tengiz field recovers, source says

MOSCOW, April 1 (Reuters) - Oil production in Kazakhstan rose about 2% in March from February as output ramped up at the giant Tengiz field, which recovered from a January shutdown, an industry source told Reuters on Wednesday.

The oilfield at the northeastern tip of the Caspian Sea had been pumping oil at lower levels after fires at power stations on January 18, boosting uncertainty on global markets battling constricted supplies because of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.

However, the source said the field produced 700,000 barrels per day on average in March, up 19% from February. According to a source, it reached a peak of 978,000 bpd on March 31, exceeding a plan of 930,000 bpd.

Kazakhstan's energy ministry and operator of the field, the Chevron-led CVX.N Tengizchevroil did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Output recovery at Tengiz is capped by loading constraints such as adverse weather and the threat of drone attacks on the main export route, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) system.

Attacks on Russian Baltic Sea ports also impede oil exports from Kazakhstan.

According to the source, crude oil production excluding gas condensate rose in Kazakhstan to 1.64 million bpd last month from 1.58 million bpd in March.