By Newsbase Lukoil is expanding its oil and gas operations in Kazakhstan, the Moscow-based Kommersant newspaper reported on April 8, amid limited overseas opportunities for the company because of Russia’s increased international isolation. According to Kommersant, Lukoil has paid $200mn to enter joint projects with Kazakhstan’s national oil company Kazmunaygas (KMG) to develop the Kalamkas-Sea, Khazar and Auezov fields in the Kazakh section of the Caspia Sea. The deal involves the payment of an additional $100mn after certain conditions are met. KMG sold a 50% stake in February last year in th…